Deadline passes for loch tourism scheme
A deadline for statutory objections to the controversial tourism development on the banks of Loch Lomond passed earlier this month.
July 2 was the last day for submission of representations from bodies such as local authorities and agencies including environmental watchdog SEPA.
They were given the opportunity to comment on the proposed £30million resort proposal by Yorkshire firm Flamingo Land Ltd and Scottish Enterprise at Balloch.
The companies are bidding to transform the West Riverside and Woodbank House area which is currently marked for tourism development in the local plan.
More than 55,000 objections to the Lomond Banks scheme have been West Dunbartonshire Council want the scheme to be rejected but the final decision lies with Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park planners.
A hotel, bunkhouse accommodation and self-catering lodges are included in the blueprint.
Facilities for“water-based recreation” – including a swimming pool, water park, cafe, restaurant and brewery – will be created if the bid is rubber-stamped.
Under the plan, Woodbank House would be extended and converted to flats, with additional self-catering accommodation, monorail and external activity areas.
The development has received a mixed response locally, with concerns expressed over the impact of additional traffic on the area’s roads network and wildlife. However, Andy Miller, director at Lomond Banks, believes the scheme will bring a unique leisure-based development to the area.