Planning permission refused for Flamingo Land resort at Loch Lomond
Ministers cite concerns over flooding loss of woodland ‘finely balanced decision’
The Scottish Government has refused to grant planning permission for a controversial development on the banks of Loch Lomond.
Ministers cited concerns about the flooding risk and woodland loss when they announced what they said was a “finely balanced decision”.
Lomond Banks – which is owned by the theme park operator Flamingo Land – had hoped to construct a major leisure development at Balloch, West Dunbartonshire.
Its plans included building more than 100 holiday lodges, two hotels, a water park, a monorail and parking spaces for more than 300 cars at the site.
After a major campaign against the development, which was led by Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer, ministers “called in” the plans in June 2025 – a month after the Government’s reporter had approved planning permission in principle for the development.
After the Scottish Government confirmed on Tuesday that planning permission in principle had been refused, Mr Greer said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have saved Loch Lomond and defeated Flamingo Land’s destructive plans.
“This is a huge victory for the local community and for the historic campaign we built over the last decade.”
Adding that 155,000 people had joined him in “objecting to these daft plans”, Mr Greer said the decision shows “people power has protected Scotland’s most iconic landscape from this greedy corporation”.
He continued: “It’s not hard to understand why this became one of the biggest environmental campaigns in Scottish history.
“This mega resort would have had a devastating impact on the iconic local environment, the community and the local economy.
“Flamingo Land’s own documents projected more than 250 extra cars per hour on local roads at peak times. Anyone who has ever been on the A82 knows that it couldn’t possibly cope with that and would only have led to misery for residents and visitors alike.”
While the decision of Scottish ministers is “final”, it could still be appealed to the Court of Session.
But Mr Greer said: “My message to Flamingo Land today is simple – walk away.
“This community and the people of Scotland have told you time and again that your destructive plans are not welcome. It’s time to accept that verdict and end this saga. We have saved Loch Lomond.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Ministers have dismissed the appeal and refused planning permission in principle for the Lomond Banks development due to flood risk, woodland loss and wider policy conflicts.”
In a letter setting out reasons for the decision, the Government accepted there were “significant socio-economic benefits associated with the proposed development”.
But it said there were also “substantial concerns relating to flood risk” as well as the “extent and location of woodland loss and gain”.
The Government also cited the “unique nature of the site, including its sensitive and prominent location” within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
It concluded: “Scottish ministers consider that the material considerations do not outweigh the identified policy conflicts with the development plan in this instance.”
Lomond Banks has been contacted for comment.
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