Friends support car park bid for Balmaha
A conservation charity for the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is backing proposals for a new car park and glamping pods in the tourist village of Balmaha.
Supporting the planning application by Balmaha businessman Sandy Fraser for a 70-space temporary car park, Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs highlighted an urgent need to address a growing parking problem in the community.
They say it follows the loss of over 300 spaces on East Loch Lomondside in the last 15 years and the introduction of clearways and police no parking signs.
Sandy Fraser, owner of the Oak Tree Inn, wants to provide a temporary 70 space car park on waste ground at the northern edge of the village which is earmarked for future development.
Friends chairman James Fraser said: ‘‘The growing popularity of Balmaha and nearby Conic Hill has led to substantial growth in visitors arriving in the area by car and the area is simply not coping, leading to traffic congestion and dissatisfaction amongst residents and visitors.
“In the absence of any initiative by the public sector to provide additional parking or improved public transport services, it is encouraging that a local businessman has decided to step in to help address what is a very unsatisfactory situation in one of the National Park’s top visitor destinations where a more pro-active and positive visitor management regime is urgently required.”
The Friends have also supported plans by the local Bannerman family to develop eight glamping pods in a field next to the West Highland Way and within a short walk to the village as they consider there is currently a shortage of good quality glamping facilities for West Highland Way walkers and other visitors.
National Park planners are expected to make a recommendation on the applications in due course.
Meanwhile, at a recent meeting of Stirling Council’s environment and housing committee, members heard that council and national park officials had been in discussions over sharing resources to manage parking and other issues in Balmaha.
Head of infrastructure Brian Roberts said it was planned to “resurrect” the East Loch Lomond visitor management group to tackle any antisocial behaviour issues in the area, litter and other enforcement activities.