MORE than 150,000 people have objected to Flamingo Land’s plans to develop on the banks of Loch Lomond, according to the Scottish Greens.
It comes after a petition was launched by the party in opposition to the £40 million ‘mega-resort’ proposals.
The Yorkshire-based theme park operator proposes creating more than 100 holiday lodges, two hotels, a waterpark, a monorail, 372 car parking spaces, shops, and more on the site.
Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, claims the proposal is “the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history”.
He said: “The message from the local community and from across Scotland is loud and clear, Flamingo Land is not welcome at Loch Lomond.
“150,000 is a monumental number of objections for a planning application, which tells you all you need to know about just how destructive and unwelcome these mega-resort plans are.
“It would be a disaster for Balloch and for Loch Lomond. It would destroy the gateway to one of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes and have a devastating impact on local wildlife and nature, never mind the threat to local businesses and grief for residents.
“This saga has lasted for almost a decade, and the community is simply exhausted. They want Flamingo Land gone for good.”
We previously reported that the plans had received opposition from the National Trust of Scotland, Woodland Trust, Ramblers Scotland, and the local community council.
According to the Scottish Greens, the previous record for objections to a planning application was held by Flamingo Land’s first planning application for the site in Balloch.
It was opposed by just under 60,000 people.
Ross Greer added: “I am grateful to everyone who has taken the time to lodge their objection and make the scale of opposition known.
“The more people learn about Flamingo Land’s daft plans, the more determined they are to stop them.
“Early on in this process, they promised to walk away if they didn’t win public support. We passed that point long ago.
“If they have any shame, Flamingo Land will drop this appalling application and leave Loch Lomond alone.”
The latest planning application will be decided on at a meeting of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park board on September 16.
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