Plans to build a Flamingo Land resort on the shores of Loch Lomond have been rejected unanimously by the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority.

The Yorkshire theme park operator had submitted plans for Lomond Banks, a resort with woodland lodges, hotels, a monorail, a water park and other facilities on the southernmost point of the loch.

More than 150,000 objections were lodged to the proposal, and the National Park Authority itself published a report which concluded that the application should not be accepted.

A final decision arrived on Monday following a site visit, hearing and meeting at Lomond Parish Church.

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A total of 13 speakers appeared during the meeting, five in support and eight in objection, with the authority suspending its usual procedures to allow more people to make their views clear.

The National Park Authority ultimately rejected the application, the second time it has been knocked back in the past five years.

Ahead of the meeting campaigners opposing the plans stood outside of the church to make their feelings clear, with convenor Heather Reid warning that she would not be allowing interjections from members of the public.

No filming or recording was allowed during the meeting, though it was livestreamed on YouTube.

Speaking in favour, Fiona Robertson, of the consultancy Streets-UK said: "We believe the Lomond Banks project will create significant economic investment and jobs, and will benefit the local community.

"We're surprised that the National Park Authority views a £40m investment as minor."

Reverend Ian H Miller, also speaking in favour, said the 150,000 people who had objected had been 'duped' by those seeking to have the plans rejected.

He said: "If the loch was at risk, I've been its biggest supporter and I'd be fighting to save it.

"I would not support anything I thought was detrimental to the community I love.

"I urge you to be brave, let's co-operate, let's find answers and approve this - let's make the Vale great again."

James Fraser from Friends of Loch & the Trossachs warned that it was "potentially the last chance saloon for Balloch", with his group "strongly" supporting the motion.

Ross Greer MSP of the Scottish Greens, who ran an online portal to lodge objections opened his objection by stating: "I'm speaking on behalf of 155,000 people who most certainly were not duped, they know exactly what they're objecting to."

His fellow MSP, Jackie Baillie of Labour, criticised Flamingo Land for failing to reach out to local businesses.

Jackie Baillie arrives to the meetingJackie Baillie arrives to the meeting (Image: Colin Mearns)

She told the board: "The Lomond Promise, on paper, is a set of useful commitments.

"Unfortunately, the promises have yet to make it off the paper.

"Key local tourism businesses say they have not been engaged in discussion with Lomond Banks at all.

"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, to stop the kind of collaboration I would expect to see with local businesses happening now, that collaboration is missing and I think that points to the developer's natural approach."

Lawyer Ian Cowan, acting on behalf of Ross Greer MSP, warned the board that they could face legal challenge in the form of a judicial review if the plans were approved.

He told the board of 14: "There are a number of legal objections, and enough objectors to crowdfund action easily."

Mr Cowan said no survey has been carried out on the risk of heavy metal contamination of tourist developments, stating "a well-known fact that the flow of water over contaminated land can increase the mobility of contaminants". He, like the other objectors was greeted with applause when he finished.

The board were given advice by the legal representation for the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority Board.

They were told: "The park's primary aim is to make sure when it takes decisions, including planning decisions, that it protects the natural heritage of the park.

"The park has to give precedence to that when it's in conflict with other considerations.

"What that means is that although we've been talking about economic considerations, which are important, they do not outweigh the need to protect the park from development if it undermines the natural heritage of the park."

The potential of an objection from SEPA was presented as a "risk".

After discussion, the board moved to a vote on the recommendation, which was to reject.

No amendments were proposed and the plans were unanimously rejected, with 14 voting in favour, zero against and zero abstentions.

Jim Paterson, Development Director for Lomond Banks, said: “We are disappointed but not surprised as we anticipated this decision following the case officer’s earlier recommendation.

“We believe we have a really strong case as this is a responsible investment that will create many opportunities for the area and Scotland as a whole. We remain fully committed to the process.”