A controversial leisure development at Loch Lomond has won the support of the Scottish Government reporter who has overturned a local decision to reject the £40 million plan.

Yorkshire-based theme park operator, Flamingo Land wants to build 100 holiday lodges, two hotels, a waterpark, monorail and shops on a sensitive site near Balloch.

Thousands of opponents joined a campaign to stop the proposal, but the developer appealed after its plans were unanimously rejected by the board of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park last year.

There were 760 individual objections to the proposal and more than 150,000 unverified clicks on an online Green Party petition. Others who objected werer the National Trust for Scotland, Woodland Trust, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the local community council and the Park’s own planning officers.

However, the government reporter in charge has now given a “positive notice of intention” to approve planning permission in principle which will be subject to a legal agreement being reached.

The 80-page document gives 417 reasons why the reporter is minded to grant the appeal.

Jim Paterson, development director for Lomond Banks, said: “This is a real milestone moment for the Lomond Banks vision, and has been a long time in the making. 

“Our proposals have been informed by more than two years of positive engagement with the local community and key stakeholders.

“At the heart of our plans is a commitment to sustainable investment, local jobs, and a long-term partnership with the area, backed by our legally binding Lomond Promise to ensure the future prosperity of Balloch and beyond.

“We are delighted by the decision made by the Scottish Government reporter today. As we look beyond today’s decision, we remain committed to being a strong and valued contributor to the local economy and we look forward to progressing with our proposals as we now consider detailed planning.” 

Balloch and Haldane community council, which has been campaigning against the plan, say the “fight is not over.”

A spokesperson said: “The Fight for Loch Lomond Is Not Over…The gloves are off.”

The Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer, who was active campaigners against the plan, described the decision as an “anti-democratic outrage”.

He said the decision has been made despite the huge number of objections and the flood risk warnings from SEPA, loss of nature and biodiversity, and the disruption of over 250 extra cars on congested local roads at peak times.

Mr Greer said: “I cannot believe that Flamingo Land’s destructive and immensely unpopular mega-resort is being given the go-ahead by Government officials.

“It was the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history and will cause irreversible damage to the world-famous local environment at Loch Lomond.

“This greedy developer would not take no for an answer and I am shocked that Government officials have put Flamingo Land’s interests above the need to protect Loch Lomond.

“We are urgently considering our options for continuing this fight. I will leave no stone unturned in the campaign to save Loch Lomond.”

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