The processes behind how a decision will be made on the controversial Flamingo Land proposals in Balloch have been revealed.

An announcement will be made on whether to approve or refuse the application for a proposed development at West Riverside and Woodbank House will by Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority Board on Monday, September 16.

Flamingo Land Ltd first submitted plans to build a multi-leisure complex in 2017.

Following concerns from locals and organisations the plans were redacted, revised and resubmitted in 2022.

If approved, the complex will include 104 holiday lodges, two hotels, a water park and a monorail in plans that developers say will provide "employment opportunities, economic investment and become a world-class tourist destination".

Opposers say they have concerns about an increase in traffic of up to 14 more cars every second at peak times, environmental damage including flood risks and harm to local businesses.

West Dunbartonshire Council previously confirmed they would be remaining neutral on the plans.

In terms of processes for a decision anyone, or any organisation, that has submitted a formal representation on the application directly to the National Park Authority, will be notified by email or letter [in line with how their formal representation was submitted to the National Park Authority] and given details on how they can request to speak at the hearing on September 16. 

The normal restrictions on numbers of speakers will not be applied in this case given the significant public interest and the number of representations.

Depending on the number of requests to speak, a limit may have to be applied.

READ MORE: Dumbarton MP opens up on controversial Flamingo Land plans

Where appropriate, speakers will be encouraged to appoint a spokesperson to represent their collective views, particularly where there are a large number of people raising the same issues.

Both meetings will be held in public, however they are not ‘public meetings’ – which means that members of the public are welcome to observe but are not able to participate in proceedings unless they have applied to speak in advance and been confirmed as a speaker via the official process. 

Given the significant public interest in the application, the National Park Authority has opted to hold the Hearing and Board Meeting at Lomond Parish Church in Balloch to ensure that as many observers as possible are able to attend while the decision-making process remains in the local community. Lomond Parish Church can hold more than 200 people.

The time of the Hearing and Board Meeting will be confirmed on Monday, September 2, 2024. 

The Hearing and Board Meeting will be live streamed for those unable to attend on the day.

A link will be posted on the National Park Authority website and highlighted via the Park Authority’s social media channels.

Dr Heather Reid, convener of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority Board, said: "There is significant public interest in this planning application and I want to reassure anyone with an interest - whether in favour of or in objection to the application – that due process is being followed to the letter.

“It is in everyone’s interest that the Site Visit, Public Hearing and Board Meeting on September 16 are conducted in an orderly manner and that an informed decision can be made by Board Members.

"Disruption on the day could result in the Site Visit being abandoned or the Hearing being adjourned and those outcomes benefit nobody.

“So I would strongly urge those with conflicting views on the application to respect the planning process and allow events on the day to be carried out in an orderly manner.

"It is important that board members hear all viewpoints before reaching a decision.

“We are making the Hearing and Board Meeting as open and accessible as possible and have secured a large local venue for that reason.

"The meeting will also be streamed online for those unable to access the venue. In addition to the planning report, which will reference representations made both for and against the application, we will ensure Board Members hear from a balanced range of speakers at the Hearing to help inform their decision.

“In the meantime, we will provide regular updates to the public, to key stakeholders including Balloch and Haldane Community Council, and to the media on the process being followed.”