Plans to build a controversial holiday park at Loch Lomond have been halted by a Scottish Minister in a move that avoids a potentially embarrassing defeat in parliament.
The £40 million development was expected to get the final go-ahead after the government reporter overturned its refusal by the national park authority, which said it did not comply with environmental and nature conservation policies.
But following an outcry from thousands who registered their opposition to the Lomond Banks scheme, Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee has decided it needs a fresh look. His decision comes only days after he insisted that he had no intention of calling it in.
He said: “I have decided to recall the Lomond Banks appeal as the proposed development raises issues of national significance in view of its potential impact on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
“This means that the appeal should be determined at a national level.”
The decision came on the eve of a Scottish Parliament vote on the issue forced by Scottish Labour.
Flamingoland wants to build 127 woodland lodges, a waterpark, monorail, two hotesl and restaurants, but it has faced mounting opposition from the local community as well as Labour and Green MSPs.
Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “This is a welcome u-turn by the SNP, though it shouldn’t have taken the fear of a defeat in Parliament to force them to reach this decision.
“The SNP has ignored concerns time and time again – from politicians across the chamber and from local campaigners.
“It is not right that a single Reporter was allowed to overrule the National Park Authority’s unanimous decision to reject the bid of the Flamingo Land resort.”
The Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer, who has campaigned against the Yorkshire-based company’s plans, said: “This is the right move by Ministers… I am glad that Ivan McKee has decided to do the right thing and use his power to intervene to protect Loch Lomond from destruction.
“The evidence of the damage it would do to one of Scotland’s most iconic locations is overwhelming. Once Ministers consider the flood risk, loss of ancient woodland, hundreds of additional cars which would be brought onto notoriously congested roads and the litany of other devastating impacts it would have, I am sure they will reject the mega-resort application and finally end this decade-long saga.
“People across Scotland expect their Government to protect our natural heritage. Given previous mistakes, including the approval of Donald Trump’s golf course despite local objections and serious environmental concerns, this is an opportunity for Ministers to show that they have learned and will now put people and planet ahead of greedy developers.”
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