CONGRATULATIONS to Vicky Allan and Kevin McKenna for their excellent coverage of Flamingo Land's proposed development at Balloch (The Herald, August 17). Unfortunately, Flamingo Land's agents and supporters continue to sow confusion about the development, including Fiona Robertson from Streets-UK, who is quoted on your front page as claiming "Those people who are opposed to the development continue to misrepresent it by calling it Flamingo Land and by perpetuating the theme park description".
The facts are that the planning application, which is to be considered next month, is from Flamingo Land Ltd, a company which operates a resort of that name down Yorkshire. There was no legal entity called "Lomond Banks" until July 4, 2023 when a new company of that name was registered at Companies House with a share capital of £2. Until then Lomond Banks was only the name Flamingo Land had chosen for the proposed development after it withdrew the application. Should planning permission now be granted it is Flamingo Land Ltd which was given the legal agreement with Scottish Enterprise to buy the Riverside Site in Balloch and Flamingo Land Ltd which has agreed with Transport Scotland to pay for some minor road upgrades in the village.
Flamingo Land Ltd's business is described on the Companies House website as "activities of amusement parks and theme parks". In claiming that Flamingo Land's offering to Balloch has been mischaracterised, Ms Robertson fails to explain this or to mention the proposed monorail running through the trees or the proposed water park. Unfortunately, since the application is at this stage only for planning permission in principle and Flamingo Land has failed to disclosure further details of what it is considering, it remains to be seen whether the development would be best described as a glorified chalet park with hotels or an amusement park, possibly themed "on Lomond banks".
Quibbling about the description and whether people are justified in still referring to it as Flamingo Land distracts from the main issues. The proposed development is far too big and conflicts with the policy aspirations in National Planning Framework 4. It has major implications for the village of Balloch, the gateway to the National Park, from dramatically reducing the amount of green space to increased traffic. That is why the overwhelming majority of residents in Balloch, whom we represent, oppose this planning application.
We are very grateful to Ms Allan and Mr McKenna for giving voice to our views.
Lynne Somerville, Chair, on behalf of Balloch and Haldane Community Council, Balloch.
• I CANNOT take seriously any of the people you interviewed who are against the current planning application for Loch Lomond ("Passions running high in battle over plan to develop the Bonnie Banks", The Herald, August 17). The surrounding area is in dire need of the jobs. The brownfield site is currently used primarily by dog walkers.
The nimbies are up in arms in case the proles spoil their unfettered access to the area. And, Loch Lomond Shores is moribund, it could use the competition.
The objectors are that classic combination of Nimby types, along with the entitled walking, climbing and cycling fraternity. I sincerely hope, for the sake of job creation and the local economy, that the plans are approved. If Kevin McKenna ("It’s an idyllic scene but it’s hard to escape a feeling of despondency", The Herald, August 17) ever interviews Ross Greer, who’s keen on stymieing several hundred jobs, can he ask him how many jobs he’s been responsible for creating in his time as a politician? I suspect it’s the middle of a donut.
Stuart Brennan, Glasgow.
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A tenner for a godsend
FOR years I have been of the opinion that surely nobody in this country would object to paying a nominal annual sum, say £10, towards the wonderful gift of free prescriptions from which we have benefited for many years (Letters, August 17).
On another subject close to my heart is the treasured life-enhancing free bus pass enjoyed by many. For some people it's the only way to overcome loneliness and to meet people. If there is a danger of losing it I'm sure everyone who enjoys its benefits would not object to contributing an annual affordable sum.
Moira Lang (Mrs), Oban.
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What happened to patience?
THE mobile phone much like all forms of technology is both wonderful and horrible, sometimes in equal measure. Banning them in classrooms seems essential to me ("To ban or not? Why phones in schools are a talking point", The Herald, August 17). We don’t allow pupils to sing during teaching or talk to each other so why on earth do we allow mobile phones?
Latterly my experience at work was that communication was often far too immediate and people expected a reply in an unreasonable timescale. I often had a call, then they left a voicemail, then they texted to tell me they’d left a message and sometimes topped it off by sending an email!
When I eventually returned the call the person was quite often quite indignant and upset that “I hadn’t called them back”.
My stock reply was sorry but I was busy. This usually resulted in more groaning and accusations that they weren’t important enough. In this modern society we’ve created a monster in that the last person to contact you thinks they’re first in the queue.
Oh for the days of letters, memos, patience and time to actually think.
John Gilligan, Ayr.
A hard road to travel
MY friend Gordon Casely bemoans the loss of our property to Stonehenge (Letters, August 17). Maybe it's time for Lord Forsyth to step up to the mark again to secure its return. I wonder if the original thieves from 5,000 years ago were muttering "When are they going to dual the A9"?
Gilbert MacKay, Newton Mearns.
QR, quality results
LONG past working age, but keen to find out what goes on in today's business world, I whiled away a few moments scanning the QR codes attached to the job advertisements in today's Herald (August 19).
"Sorry, but the job you requested to see has expired." No luck there.
My second attempt was more interesting. The benefits of being a software delivery lead, whatever that is, included an onsite masseuse and yoga classes.
Oh to be back in business? I wonder.
David Miller, Milngavie.
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