More than 150,000 people object to Flamingo Land waterpark on banks of famous loch

More than 150,000 people have objected to the development of a Flamingo Land waterpark on the banks of Loch Lomond.

A decision will be made on September 16 regarding plans for a monorail and water park resort in Balloch, West Dunbartonshire, as well as 104 wooden lodges, shops, two hotels and 372 parking spaces.

The proposal was branded “the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history” by the Greens.

The Scottish Greens have called for an end to a deal between the theme park operator and Scottish Enterprise, Scotland’s national economic development agency, if the resort is rejected next month.

The party said more than 150,000 objections have been lodged on a campaign portal it set up.

Scottish Enterprise, a non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government, owns the majority of the loch-side site on which the resort would be built by the Yorkshire-based theme park operator.

Flamingo Land was granted a “conditional missive” in 2016, which was renewed in 2020, the Scottish Greens said.

The agreement means only Flamingo Land can buy the land and prevents the community and other interested parties from bringing forward “less destructive” alternative proposals, the Greens said, describing the current plans as “garish and completely inappropriate”.

Various environmental and conservation organisations have objected to the proposals, while the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued a conditional objection based on flood risk.

The Greens said: “It is by far the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history and has been opposed by the National Trust for Scotland, Woodland Trust and Ramblers Scotland as well as the local community council.”

Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer has called on First Minister John Swinney to end Flamingo Land’s exclusive agreement with Scottish Enterprise for the sale of public land if the bid is rejected.

He said: “The message from the local community and from across Scotland is loud and clear, Flamingo Land is not welcome at Loch Lomond.

“150,000 is a monumental number of objections for a planning application, which tells you all you need to know about just how destructive and unwelcome these mega-resort plans are.

“It would be a disaster…