MORE than 20,000 have supported a Help Save Loch Lomond campaign opposing plans for a £30m Flamingo Land holiday resort on the shores of Balloch.
The project – which is currently seeking planning permission in principle from Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park – involves the creation of 105 holiday lodges, an apart-hotel, brewery, monorail and indoor leisure and water park centre.
Now it has emerged that over over 20,000 objections have been received through a website 'consultation' portal set up by Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer.
The campaigners are concerned that a large chunk of Loch Lomond is to be handed over for the project fronted by Iconic Leisure Developments "for the sake of a high-end tourist resort".
"The damage will do far outweights any positives," said Mr Greer.
Scottish Enterprise said that negotiations over the final sale of the 44 acres of land needed for the project were still ongoing. The Scottish Government agency said it was obliged to negotiate "an appropriate market value so that we get maximum value for the public purse".
"We are not yet at the point to commence commercial discussions," a Scottish Enterprise spokesman said. "These discussions are likely to take place once the outline planning application has been determined."
The 20,000 are in addition to the 1000 who have already lodged their opposition.
Cameron McNeish, the Scottish hiker and backpacker who has written books, newspaper columns and television broadcasts, announced his objection, branding the plans “a potentially disastrous agreement”. And Eddi Reader is also opposed.
Mr Greer said: "Loch Lomond isn't a private developer's plaything. The strength of feeling from across Scotland is giving a huge boost to our local campaign.
"We've already had support from high-profile figures such as mountaineer Cameron McNeish and singer Eddi Reader. The shores of Loch Lomond should belong to all of us."
He says the land could belong to the community and there was a lot of local interest in taking the site into community ownership.
"There are a range of visions for Balloch and these voices need to be heard. The fact that Scottish Enterprise are choosing to sell it off for a quick buck is something we must stand against," he says.
Campaigners are concerned about the damage to ancient woodland, pollution of standing and running water and the effect on red squirrels and otters.
Iconic was selected as the "preferred developer" after a national marketing campaign for the site by Scottish Enterprise. That gives the company exclusivity over the area to undertake site investigations such as geotechnical, ecology, flood risk, utilities and access studies.
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