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. The campaign has entered a new phase with the recent emergence of the Loch Lomond South Community Development Trust (LLSCDT).  

The local community council of Balloch and Haldane is spearheading the case for an alternative to the proposed Flamingo Land development. 

The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act (2015) coupled with changes to the Land Reform Act (Scotland) strengthened voices of communities across Scotland giving them powers to take part in planning process and the right to buy land particularly where the purchase is in the public interest and compatible with the achievement of sustainable development. 

The campaign aims to convince Scottish Enterprise that a community led development is the best option for the last publicly accessible shore at Balloch. 

Alongside objections from neighbouring Kilmaranock and Bonhill and Dalmonach Community Councils, three local campaign groups, are fighting to save Loch Lomond; Balloch and Haldane Community Council, Save Loch Lomond and Loch Lomond South Community Development Trust (LLSCDT). 

The campaign commenced over 8 years ago when local MSP Ross Greer of The Scottish Green Party threw his weight behind the Save Loch Lomond group and gathered over 50,000 objections in 2019 from the public. The number of people objecting has now more than doubled to over 140,000 making this planning application the most objected to in Scottish planning history. 

For the first application, Scottish Enterprise entered into an Exclusivity Agreement with Flamingo Land and the campaign groups are led to believe that a contract, described simply as 'a conditional missive', may still legally prevent Scottish Enterprise from negotiating with any other interested party.

The conditional missive has only ever been viewed in its heavily redacted form removing the opportunity for public scrutiny of this legal agreement between Scottish Enterprise and Flamingo Land. It’s clearly in the public interest that such dealings concerning public land should be transparent.

Loch Lomond, the jewel in Scotland’s crown, deserves much more than a 90’s style commercialised water park.  

The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs area attracts over 4 million visitors per annum, who come to marvel at the Loch Lomond vistas, climb Ben Lomond, sail her waters and to enjoy the peace and tranquillity that nature offers.  Who should decide what’s best for Balloch and the shores of Loch Lomond a Yorkshire-based theme park or the very people who live on her shores? Make no mistake Lomond Banks, nice name isn’t it, but don’t be fooled they may have chosen wisely with a Scottish registered address (their solicitor’s office) and a name change but Lomond Banks is a subsidiary of Flamingo Land. 

Balloch, classed as the Gateway to the Highlands, has a footfall that means marginalised groups such as the elderly and disabled already have no voice on how they can enjoy the environment where they live in a sustainable way or by considering climate-friendly means of accessing the local area. 

Events such as the Highland Games and the famous annual charity Kilt Walk already make it a no-go zone for such groups as well as those who are otherwise considered fit and healthy.  

These events are palatable to the locals and businesses as they are typically one-day events. The proposed development has a 100-year lease attached, making it not just a living hell and a no-go zone for those locally but also those in neighbouring regions directly impacted by the impact of over-tourism and the bi-products that such will birth.

The development is in breach of multiple policies contained within the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET). Policies that are in place to protect communities from development yet appear to be denied due to the exclusivity agreement that Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority, Scottish Enterprise, and the developer, Lomond Banks (Flamingo Land) have agreed between them, with no input from the community or consideration to the fact that the majority voted against this development, that will take the last piece of publicly owned land on the banks of Loch Lomond in Balloch. 

Protecting the natural environment and biodiversity is essential which includes protected species such as bats, red squirrels, the powan fish, badgers, and flora and fauna is maintaining not just the cultural heritage but the integrity of the area as locals will lose essential park and ride facilities for commuting and travel to curb carbon emissions and promote the use of public transport.

 The challenge for Scottish Enterprise, a publicly funded body, do they take the easy route and decide to commit the land on the shore of Loch Lomond to Flamingo Land or engage with the public?  NPF4 4 states that authorities must strive to create a ‘PLACE’ where communities, wildlife can live and thrive in line with net zero targets. This development goes against all such objectives.

The arbiters of the decision will be the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority (LLTNPA) who are the relevant planning authority. Their planning board, a body of 17 elected individuals of whom 5 are selected by the public. A body that hides behind a veil of anonymity such that their email addresses are not available to the public.  On the 16th of September the fate of the Bonnie Banks will be in the hands of LLTNPA we’d ask them to choose wisely and take the high road to save Loch Lomond.  

Lynne Somerville is the chair of Balloch and Haldane Community Council and Alannah Maurer is one of the founders of Save Loch Lomond, @SavetheLoch.

A fundraising event is being held for Loch Lomond South Community Development Trust  in the Dog House, Balloch on Sat 31st Aug, from 3 pm until late, with free food followed by acts, several bands, and DJ sets. There is also a gofundme for the trust.