Charity backs plan for theme park at Loch Lomond
A CHARITY dedicated to conserving the natural beauty of Loch Lomond and the surrounding area has officially given its backing to a controversial £30 million holiday resort situated at the southern end of the loch.
The Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs confirmed its “unqualified support” yesterday for Flamingo Land’s plans, in the face of opposition from groups including Residents Against Flamingo Land.
In 2016, the firm was selected by Scottish Enterprise as the preferred developer for the 49-acre site at Balloch, Dunbartonshire. The company’s main Flamingo Land park, near Scarborough, Yorkshire, is a theme park, with noticeable structures including a 180ft freefall tower and an 87ft-high rollercoaster.
But the Friends group yesterday said “misinformation” was behind opposition to the Scots plan.
In a detailed 11-page submission to the National Park Authority, in response to the consultation process, the body said the “mini Center Parcs” development was in line with the original vision first set out for the area by Sir Patrick Abercrombie in the Clyde Valley Regional Plan as far back as 1949.
James Fraser, chairman of the Friends said: “Our decision to support the current development proposals was taken after very careful consideration of the plans, a site visit and a number of pre-application meetings with the developers that led to some elements of the original scheme being scrapped, such as a large viewing tower and floating holiday boats in the River Leven close to the stretch of river currently occupied by local cruising club mooring facilities.’
“The outline proposals, with some modifications to accommodate a bolder transport solution to move people around Balloch more easily linked to better traffic management arrangements and car parking improvements, will have far-reaching economic, social and conservation benefits for Loch Lomond, Balloch and the Vale of Leven. They will also help to realise the undoubted tourist and recreational potential of Balloch as the gateway to Loch Lomond.”
But residents living in the Drumkinnon Gate housing estate, which backs on to the area earmarked for the resort, joined forces to protest under the banner Residents Against Flamingo Land.
Lynn Stewart said: “We have a beautiful national park and it could be destroyed. It will be too overpowering.”