Scotland’s most famous long distance walking route faces being ‘devastated’ if a controversial housing development goes ahead on the banks of Loch Lomond, campaigners claim

The 96-mile West Highland Way from Milngavie to Fort William attracts more than 80,000 walkers every year generating £3.5million annually and supporting around 200 local businesses

But now villagers in Balmaha warn it is being threatened by the proposed development of 22 houses on a five acre woodland site near the world-famous walkway.

The planning application for the development has been lodged with the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority in the name of Rural Stirling Housing Association Ltd for "..20 new homes for affordable rent and low cost home ownership, and two plots for private sale."

The park authority recently published its Local Development Plan which included an annual target to deliver 75 new homes across the area "to sustain communities and meet demand for smaller, more modest-sized and affordable homes for young people, families and older people."

But a local community group has been formed to protect the wild woodland site that’s been proposed for development. They want to have the contentious development stopped in its tracks.

Professor Dino Jaroszynski is chairman of the Balmaha Biodiversity Community Action (BBCA) group. He said: “The ancient woodland in Balmaha is extremely valuable, not just as one of the jewels in the crown of the West Highland Way, but as a genuine environmental concern. We’re planning to protect this area with a giant biodiversity project, similar to that in Ben Lawers.

“Several rare and protected species can be found on the land; otters nest there as do red squirrel, we have a healthy colony of endangered slow-worms - all of which are protected."

He said building these houses would destroy the precious habitat and ruin what is recognised by the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park as one of the main tourist draws to the area.

“If you start building houses on greenbelt land on the shore of Loch Lomond, you set a precedent and open the door to several similar developments. It inconceivable this could happen, never mind in heart of one of Scotland’s most well-visited National Parks.”

Professor Jaroszynski is urging visitors to the area make representations to protect the woodland, with comments to be lodged with the park authority by Friday next week.

He said: “The developer gave only days’ notice for a community consultation event on December 13, before submitting a planning application on December 23 - giving the community and its visitors precious little time to respond.

“This development shouldn’t get in by the back door. While we appreciate there is a need for some affordable housing in the area, it should not put the jewel in Scotland’s tourism crown at risk."

There was nobody to comment at the Doune headquarters of Rural Stirling Housing Association, which was closed for staff training. But its website explained its mission as providing quality, affordable homes and services throughout the rural north and west Stirling Council area.

"We are a developer of new affordable housing and a Registered Social Landlord (RSL) - with over 560 homes for rent and low-cost home-ownership now in management," it said.

A park authority spokesman said the application was being processed, but feedback on all planning applications was welcomed.