Plans to build a controversial £40 million Flamingo Land resort on Loch Lomond have been rejected by the Scottish government.
The decision follows years of outrage from locals over proposals by Yorkshire-based Flamingo Land to build on Lomond Banks – a site on the lakeside near Balloch, owned by the theme park operator.
Plans included the construction of two hotels, 104 self-catering lodges, a waterpark, craft brewery, spa, restaurants and a monorail.
According to the Lomond Banks website, the project projected the creation of 200 jobs.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority initially rejected proposals in September 2024, before the decision was overturned by Scottish ministers following an appeal last June.
The Scottish government’s decision to reject the development goes against recommendations from a government-appointed advisor who supported the project.
It said the appeal had failed due to “substantial concerns relating to flood risk, the extent and location of woodland loss and gain and the unique nature of the site” in a nine-page letter on Tuesday.
The planning decision report added that the “finely balanced decision” weighed all relevant policy considerations and found “flood risk and woodland loss are of such importance that, when taken together with the other development plan conflicts.”
Plans for the holiday park in Balloch, West Dunbartonshire, were first submitted in 2018 before being withdrawn the following year due to a lack of public support.
Several local politicians have welcomed the government’s decision to stop Flamingo Land’s plans.
Dumbarton constituency MSP Jackie Baillie wrote on X: “Flamingo Land was opposed by the overwhelming majority of my local community, as well as the National Park and SEPA. Delighted that the Scottish Government has finally taken the right decision.”
Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer similarly called the move a “victory” for the 155,000 people who petitioned against Flamingo Land’s “destructive mega-resort plan.”
Heather Reid, convenor of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “In September 2024, our Board voted unanimously to refuse the Lomond Banks planning application. Today, Scottish Ministers confirmed their decision to dismiss the appeal against that decision. This means the National Park Authority’s refusal of planning permission in principle stands.
“We very much welcome this decision, which largely vindicates and aligns with key conclusions reached by both our Planning Officers’ recommendation and our Board in its unanimous refusal of this application.”
Jim Paterson, development director for Lomond Banks, said: “We are extremely disappointed by the Scottish Ministers’ decision to dismiss our appeal for Lomond Banks.
“This proposal represented a transformational investment in Balloch and the wider area, delivering significant employment, regeneration and long-term economic benefits to one of Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities,” reported theTimes.
Paterson added: “We will now carefully review the decision in full and consider our options.”
Read more: More than 150,000 object to ‘the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history’
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