Lomond Banks, an application to develop a resort, including woodland lodges, hotels, monorail and waterpark, has attracted controversy since its first bid for the site at the bottom end of Loch Lomond in 2018.
Often it is described as the 'most objected to' planning application in Scottish history because of the over 150,000 objections raised through a petition planning portal. Frequently it is also referred to as 'Flamingo Land' Loch Lomond because the Yorkshire theme-park operator is the parent company behind the proposal.
Tensions are rising in the run-up to a decision on the application. The developers accuse campaigners of 'misinformation' and of misrepresenting the plan as a 'theme park'.
But those objecting also speak of the scale of the resort, the number of car parking spaces, traffic issues, flood risk and impact on local community and the environment. Some are also developing alternative proposals for the site through a newly created community development trust.
The Herald has been investigating the proposed development and took an in-depth look at both sides and what the future may hold if the development gets the go ahead.
A decision will be made on Monday September 16. Subscribe to The Herald here to read full coverage of the decision.
Read The Herald's extensive Lomond Banks coverage here:
Park report recommends Flamingo Land Lomond Banks be refused
The Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park authority has published a report recommending that Flamingo Land’s Lomond Banks planning application be refused.
Flamingo Land Lomond Banks: call to suspend planning process
A community council has called for “immediate suspension” of the planning application process for Flamingo Land’s controversial Lomond Banks development.
Scottish Government should 'call in' Flamingo Land decision
Scottish Labour’s Deputy Leader, Jackie Baillie, has revealed that she will be objecting to Flamingo Land’s Lomond Banks development.
Lomond Banks key dates published, with calls for 'respect'
With less than a month to go till a decision is made on the controversial Lomond Banks development, the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority has published a plan of key dates and called for “those with conflicting views on the application to respect the planning process”.
Flamingo Land's Lomond Banks. The controversy explained
There are no flamingos planned for Balloch – and no rollercoasters either, as the developers have long made clear – but the plans for the gateway to iconic Loch Lomond have long been controversial, and remain so now, in the run-up to a decision on the latest application.
What Lomond Banks controversy says about our National Parks
The heated controversy over the planning application for Flamingo Land’s Lomond Banks raises wider questions over what Scotland’s National Parks are for, say campaigners.
Why Flamingo Land's Lomond Banks sparked record objections
Loch Lomond is many different things to many different people. It's Runrig. It's an old paddle steamer. It's a picnic on the shore. But is it also a commercial resort with lodges, swimming pool and craft brewery developed by the operator behind the Yorkshire-based theme-park, Flamingo Land?
Community development trust is answer to Flamingo Land fight
Gazing out over the shores of Loch Lomond towards the slopes of Ben Lomond it’s hard to imagine there’s a fight to save the beauty and serenity of this world-famous location. A campaign being fought by locals and folks from all over the world has been gathering support for over 8 years.
Kevin McKenna: Inside Loch Lomond's battle to keep Flamingo Land away
Next month, the LLTNP board will make a final decision on whether or not this massive development will go ahead. Local campaigners, backed by a petition signed by more than 150,000 people, believe that if the park authority gives it the green light a vital part of the Loch Lomond landscape will be erased for good.
'I am convinced Lomond Banks can be good for our area'
Hugh MacDiarmid in “A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle” said "Mair nonsense has been uttered in his name ( Robert Burns) Than in ony's barrin' liberty and Christ". To that list I would add Lomond Banks.
'People continue to misrepresent by calling it Flamingo Land'
The plans for Lomond Banks have been “misrepresented”, says the community engagement lead for the project. The controversial planning application for a resort at Balloch, on the southern-most tip of Loch Lomond, is not and has never been for a theme park.
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