MSP Jackie Baillie has called for a new approach from the landowners of West Riverside, Scottish Enterprise, to tear up their exclusivity deal with Lomond Banks and go back to the drawing board.
She hopes that the Scottish Government Agency will u-turn on the exclusive use deal with Flamingo Land operators and engage afresh with the community to find a new use for the land.
Her comments come in the wake of Monday’s decision by Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority to reject Flamingo Land’s bid to develop a £40m resort at Loch Lomond.
The area’s MSP, Jackie Baillie, told planners at the meeting yesterday that developers had made paper promises but had failed to fully engage with the community.
She told the crunch planning meeting staged by National Park chiefs that plans had improved since an earlier 2018 submission by the developer but thought the area could “do better”.
Representatives of the developer outlined their ‘Lomond Promise’ pledge to deliver the Real Living Wage as minimum wage for jobs on site and engage with other hospitality businesses in Balloch.
But Ms Baillie revealed to the packed meeting, attended by more than 100 members of the public at Lomond Parish Church, that developers had an “offhand” manner when approached and told how reports from other operators suggested no contact.
Ms Baillie also told of the views she gathered from residents, when she undertook a household survey to gauge opinion in 2022.
As part of the exercise, concerns were voiced over the quality and seasonal nature of the jobs on offer at the resort, as well as the size of the development, the availability or parking and the impact of additional traffic on local road routes.
Particular fears were highlighted over the build-up of traffic during the summer months on the A82 – which is often subject to traffic pressures, causing resulting congestion locally – and the impact on traffic via McDonald’s roundabout.
The overall survey results were clear with 68% of those who made a return being against the development.
Flamingo Land had wanted to build the Lomond Banks development, including a planned monorail and water park attraction, alongside a hotel, restaurants and lodges.
Dumbarton MSP Jackie said: “I am pleased that Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority’s board took the decision that it did.
“It is clear that Flamingo Land’s Lomond Banks plan does not make the grade.
“I have had numerous discussions about this development with members of the local community, residents, groups and businesses.
“It is clear that this development has divided the community and there are legitimate concerns which the National Park has recognised.
“It is now time for Scottish Enterprise, who own the land concerned, to move away from their exclusivity agreement with Flamingo Land and return to dialogue with the community.
“The community has sent a clear message time and again in respect of the Flamingo Land development and I would urge Scottish Enterprise to now open fresh talks with residents and community groups to engage with them on their vision for the site.”
