10 hours ago
The SNP Government must choose between greedy companies or the people on Flamingo Land at Loch Lomond
There have been a few times in our decade-long campaign to save Loch Lomond where I've held my breath and thought it was probably all over.
Moments where I wondered if we could actually save this world-famous location from being destroyed by Flamingo Land's daft mega-resort.
But time after time our people-powered campaign has held off this greedy company. We have - so far - stopped them from exploiting Scotland's natural heritage for their own profit.
Over 155,000 of us lodged objections, making their mega-resort the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history. We were joined by experts like the Woodland Trust and the Government's own environment watchdog, SEPA.
Last September we won, persuading the National Park's board to unanimously reject this destructive application. But then, in a move Ebeneezer Scrooge would be proud of, they lodged an appeal right before Christmas.
And astonishingly, the Government official tasked with considering it decided to grant them permission, overturning the Park board's democratic decision and disregarding the overwhelming weight of evidence that the mega-resort would do huge damage.
We couldn't let it end there though. For almost ten years the largely working-class community in Balloch has fought a David and Goliath struggle against this greedy developer. Our campaign to save Loch Lomond wasn't going to be defeated at the last minute on the whim of a single government official.
In just two weeks over 50,000 of us wrote to the Planning Minister to demand that he recalled the decision. Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie raised it in Parliament, challenging the First Minister to step in. Our supporters across the country contacted MSPs of all parties but especially the SNP, calling on them to support our efforts.
And just like that, on the eve of losing a vote in Parliament, the Scottish Government u-turned and recalled the decision.
This is far from over, but Ministers themselves will now have the final say, not officials.
That's how it should be for a development this big at the gateway to Loch Lomond. Decisions of national importance must be taken by elected MSPs. Government Ministers should not hide behind their officials.
Loch Lomond i s the crown jewel of Scotland's natural environment. It's world famous for a reason.
The gateway to the loch shouldn't be stuck behind traffic jams and resort gates.
Both the environment itself and the community in Balloch deserve to be protected.
From the flood risk and loss of ancient woodland to the extra 250+ cars per hour on already gridlocked local roads at peak times, the reasons to reject this application and end this saga are overwhelming.
The Scottish Government has a choice.
They can decide whether Scotland's national parks are just another 'investment opportunity' for greedy companies who would cause huge damage for a quick profit.
Or they can finally side with the Scottish Greens, environmental experts, the residents of Balloch and 155,000 people across Scotland, end this saga, and save Loch Lomond.
