THE Scottish Greens have vowed to campaign to prevent Flamingo Land from developing on Loch Lomond for a second time after the plans for the tourist village were resurrected.
Ross Greer, who represents West Scotland, said he will "send Flamingo Land packing" after early details of the company's new plans for the area were revealed.
The original £30 million plans to build two hotels, a craft brewery, restaurants, and a leisure centre on 44 acres next to the loch became the most unpopular proposals in Scottish history after nearly 60,000 people objected.
Opposition also came from West Dunbartonshire Council, the Woodland Trust and Ramblers Scotland, with the National Park’s own planning officers ultimately recommending the plans be refused.
The company, which runs a zoo, resort and theme park in Yorkshire, withdrew its original "Lomond Banks" proposals for the West Riverside and Woodbank House sites in Balloch in September 2019.
Flamingo Land now has "refreshed plans" for the area which is "breaking away from its traditional portfolio of theme parks" with plans for a development – still known as Lomond Banks – with visitor accommodation and walkways in keeping with the local environment, with public access maintained throughout the site.
READ MORE: Flamingo Land to resubmit plans to develop controversial Loch Lomond-side site
Despite objections, it emerged last year that the Scottish Government had renewed an exclusive agreement with the Yorkshire-based theme-park operator to develop the site. And last month it was revealed that Flamingo Land will be given 125 year lease on the site.
The developer claimed the Lomond Banks project – if it had been approved and opened in 2014 – would have created 80 full-time jobs, 50 part-time jobs and up to 70 seasonal positions.
But Greer said: “Flamingo Land’s first proposal was unwelcome, deeply inappropriate for Loch Lomond and, as their own impact assessments acknowledged it would have caused substantial environmental damage whilst creating just a fraction of the jobs they had originally promised.
“From what they’ve announced so far, it seems their second attempt is just a rehash of the first. Flamingo Land have made clear that they are determined to ignore both the local community and national public opinion in their desperation to pave over one of Scotland’s most iconic natural beauty spots.
“The 60,000 people who fought to stop this cynical development last time haven’t gone away. We sent Flamingo Land packing once before and I’m confident that we’ll do the same again.”
Jim Paterson, development director for the Lomond Banks project, said: “We have listened to the issues raised around the original proposal and with further feedback will look to make some important, very significant, amendments to the plans to ensure Lomond Banks will be in keeping with its environment.
"We also want to reassure the local community that consultation is at the heart of our plans.
"Our intention here from the outset was never to build a theme park but to bring to the area a development that has the potential to become a world-class tourism destination that benefits the local community and economy.
“Our environmental and commercial commitment to Balloch and West Riverside remains strong and our proposed development comes at a time when economic investment and meaningful growth in the local tourism market is required.
"We want to complement what makes Loch Lomond so attractive to visitors, and our aim would be to invest locally, hire locally, and work with local businesses to maximise the benefits of the development for all."
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