Latest news with #FlamingoLand
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
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.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Flamingo Land developer criticises 'hysterical' opposition to Loch Lomond resort plans
Lomond Banks has hit back at the campaigners who have been opposing the proposed Flamingo Land development at Loch Lomond. The developer behind the controversial plans to bring a Flamingo Land development to the banks of Loch Lomond has expressed "extreme disappointment" after ministers recalled the application following a fierce campaign from activists. Theme park operator Flamingo Land, through its subsidiary Lomond Banks, had proposed to construct two hotels, more than 100 lodges, a waterpark and monorail at Balloch in a £43.5million development. Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee had previously declined to step in regarding the decision to proceed with the plans. But last week he confirmed that the government would now 'call-in' the plans. In a statement issued this week, Lomond Banks said that the move 'undermines the objective and independent judgment of the DPEA reporter'. Lomond Banks Development Director, Jim Paterson, said: 'As you would expect, we are taking legal advice. 'We have engaged with the planning process in good faith, following every regulation and expectation set by the National Park and Scotland's new national planning framework. "The land in question has been allocated for sustainable tourism development for decades, a fact acknowledged by the DPEA reporter. To have this long-established planning context disregarded at the eleventh hour raises serious questions not only about the integrity and consistency of the Scottish planning system, but also about Scotland as an investment destination.' He continued: 'The opposition has, unfortunately, relied on a sensationalist and misleading campaign, filled with hysteria, mistruths and inaccuracies, some of which disconcertingly continued to be relayed in last week's parliament debate. "Claims that we are developing a 'mega-resort' or bringing a 'theme park' to Loch Lomond are not only false, they are deliberately designed to stoke public fear and misinformation. There is no Flamingo Land-style park in our proposals, and such language is nothing more than a cynical attempt to derail a responsible development that aligns with the local development plan. 'Suggestions that this project will 'dominate the loch' are also disingenuous. Our development would front onto just 280 metres, that is 0.2 percent, of Loch Lomond's 153.5-kilometre shoreline. This is a proportionate and thoughtful approach, directly aligned with earlier developments such as Lomond Shores and fully consistent with the National Park's own vision. 'Contrary to the false narrative being pushed, this project has strong local support. Anyone genuinely interested in the views of the Scottish people need only look at the widespread positive engagement on social media and elsewhere, reflecting a clear desire for sustainable, year-round economic activity and job creation.' Mr Paterson insists the firm 'categorically reject' the 'baseless and offensive claim' that the firm are a Yorkshire-based company 'infiltrating Scottish shores'. He added: 'Flamingo Land is a Scottish-registered business, incorporated in 1973, and all taxable profits are retained within Scotland. Despite the name conjuring up connotations of a theme park style resort, Flamingo Land is the overarching company behind Lomond Banks – which is also a Scottish-registered business. These types of attacks are not only factually wrong, they are intentionally divisive and completely inappropriate. 'We remain fully committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment. The ancient woodland at Drumkinnon Wood will be preserved and actively managed through a dedicated woodland management plan. Public access will not only be maintained but improved through upgraded core pathways. 'Claims that wildlife will also be affected are also unfounded, as the DPEA reporter concluded, there is no evidence to support these concerns. 'We now call on all Ministers, especially the planning minister, to uphold the integrity of the planning system. This process must remain impartial and evidence-led, not subjected to political opportunism or pressure campaigns built on misinformation. The rules must apply fairly and equally to all, or public trust in the system will be irreparably damaged. 'We urge the Scottish Government to see through the hysteria and consider not just the facts of this proposal, but the precedent it sets for all future investment in Scotland.' Campaigners against the plans last week welcomed the decision. Loch Lomond South Community Development Trust (LLSCDT) chairwoman, Lynne Somerville said: 'The people who live here must have a real say in the future of this place—not as an afterthought, but as equal partners. 'The overwhelming response from the community shows not only opposition to inappropriate development, but also a clear appetite for something better—something rooted in fairness, sustainability, and local benefit. 'Under the 2015 Community Empowerment Act, communities like ours are legally entitled to be heard and treated with respect in decisions that affect our land and future. It's time that legislation was meaningfully upheld.' Three local charities in favour of the development voiced their concerns that the Scottish Government had 'buckled to pressure'. The Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Maid of the Loch Steamship Company, and Helensburgh and District Access Trust argued that the government had made a U-turn due to the Lomond Banks planning application 'becoming a political football in the run up to the Scottish Parliamentary elections next year'.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Scotland set for 'hottest day of the year' after spell of rainy weather
SCOTLAND is set for the "hottest weather of the year" later this week after a period of wet and windy conditions. Temperatures across the country are expected to climb to the late 20s by Friday, as some areas could potentially reach as high as 28C. It comes after a period of wet weather which saw a yellow weather warning in place, and heavy downpours and thunderstorms forecast across much of the country. The central belt is more likely to see warmer temperatures on Friday, as STV weatherman Sean Batty said highs of around 28C are not "out of the question" in areas such as the Moray coast, Perth, Glasgow, Stirling, Edinburgh and East Lothian. Batty said Scots could see "the hottest weather of the year" so far and that temperatures could "potentially [climb] to their highest levels since summer 2023". READ MORE: Ignore 'hysteria' around Flamingo Land plans for Loch Lomond, says developer Writing for STV News, he said: "To put that in context, the highest temperature recorded in 2024 was 28C at Oyne in Aberdeenshire on June 24. And of course, the record-breaking summer of 2023 saw a scorching 34.8C at Charterhall in the Borders – the highest temperature ever recorded in Scotland. "Hitting 30C in Scotland is rare. In fact, it's only happened in nine of the last 20 years, and just 23 times in the past 85 years. However, some models are hinting that we could get close to that mark by the end of June, with further pulses of hot air possible." Batty added that temperatures in the evening could remain in the high teens and be "uncomfortably mild", particularly across the west Highlands, Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and the Moray coast. Tony Wisson, a deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'Over the next few days, settled weather and warm sunshine will allow temperatures to rise day on day. 'Temperatures will then rise further towards the end of the week as winds turn more southerly and even warmer air over continental Europe will be drawn across the UK."
The National
4 days ago
- Climate
- The National
Scotland weather could be set for 'hottest day of the year'
Temperatures across the country are expected to climb to the late 20s by Friday, as some areas could potentially reach as high as 28C. It comes after a period of wet weather which saw a yellow weather warning in place, and heavy downpours and thunderstorms forecast across much of the country. The central belt is more likely to see warmer temperatures on Friday, as STV weatherman Sean Batty said highs of around 28C are not "out of the question" in areas such as the Moray coast, Perth, Glasgow, Stirling, Edinburgh and East Lothian. Batty said Scots could see "the hottest weather of the year" so far and that temperatures could "potentially [climb] to their highest levels since summer 2023". READ MORE: Ignore 'hysteria' around Flamingo Land plans for Loch Lomond, says developer Writing for STV News, he said: "To put that in context, the highest temperature recorded in 2024 was 28C at Oyne in Aberdeenshire on June 24. And of course, the record-breaking summer of 2023 saw a scorching 34.8C at Charterhall in the Borders – the highest temperature ever recorded in Scotland. "Hitting 30C in Scotland is rare. In fact, it's only happened in nine of the last 20 years, and just 23 times in the past 85 years. However, some models are hinting that we could get close to that mark by the end of June, with further pulses of hot air possible." Batty added that temperatures in the evening could remain in the high teens and be "uncomfortably mild", particularly across the west Highlands, Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and the Moray coast. Tony Wisson, a deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'Over the next few days, settled weather and warm sunshine will allow temperatures to rise day on day. 'Temperatures will then rise further towards the end of the week as winds turn more southerly and even warmer air over continental Europe will be drawn across the UK."
STV News
4 days ago
- Business
- STV News
Scottish Government urged to ignore ‘hysteria' around Loch Lomond proposals
The developer behind controversial plans to build on the banks of Loch Lomond has urged the Scottish Government to ignore the 'hysteria' from opponents. Lomond Banks – owned by theme park operator Flamingo Land – has proposed to build a multi-million-pound mega-park. It includes plans for a water park, two hotels, 104 wooden lodges, spa, cafes, shops, restaurants, brewery and more in Balloch, West Dunbartonshire. In May, the Scottish Government Reporter approved the plans – allowing them to go on to the next stage of planning and development – despite opposition from the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority itself and more than 150,000 people who joined the Save Loch Lomond campaign. The Scottish Government initially said it had 'no intention' of stepping in to re-evaluate that approval, but Scottish ministers U-turned last week, once again putting the Flamingo Land plans in doubt. On Monday, speaking for the first time since that decision, Lomond Banks development director Jim Paterson said the firm was 'extremely disappointed'. 'We have engaged with the planning process in good faith, following every regulation and expectation set by the National Park and Scotland's new national planning framework,' he said. 'The land in question has been allocated for sustainable tourism development for decades, a fact acknowledged by the DPEA (Planning and Environmental Appeals Division) reporter. 'To have this long-established planning context disregarded at the 11th hour raises serious questions not only about the integrity and consistency of the Scottish planning system, but also about Scotland as an investment destination.' 'That's why Mr Paterson called on ministers to back the Flamingo Land proposals. 'We now call on all ministers, especially the planning minister, to uphold the integrity of the planning system,' he said. 'This process must remain impartial and evidence-led, not subjected to political opportunism or pressure campaigns built on misinformation. The rules must apply fairly and equally to all, or public trust in the system will be irreparably damaged.' Mr Paterson added: 'We urge the Scottish Government to see through the hysteria and consider not just the facts of this proposal, but the precedent it sets for all future investment in Scotland.' Mr Paterson accused opponents of the development – spearheaded by Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer – of a 'sensationalist and misleading campaign' full of 'mistruths and inaccuracies'. More than 150,000 people signed a petition to halt the plans, and 50,000 wrote to the Scottish Government to intervene, but Mr Paterson claimed the project has 'strong local support'. 'Anyone genuinely interested in the views of the Scottish people need only look at the widespread positive engagement on social media and elsewhere, reflecting a clear desire for sustainable, year-round economic activity and job creation,' he said. Public finance minister Ivan McKee said last week the government would recall the plans for the Flamingo Land resort, saying it raises issues of national significance due to its impact on the national park area. Over 150,000 people objected to the development through a petition launched by the Scottish Greens. The final outcome will be now be decided by Scottish ministers. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
