Scottish Government Rejects £40m Loch Lomond Park

Plans for a £40 million holiday park at Loch Lomond have been definitively rejected by the Scottish government. This decision concludes a protracted and contentious debate surrounding the development proposed by theme park operator Flamingo Land. The Scottish government cited significant concerns, including flood risk, the loss of historic woodland, and conflicts with existing development policies as key reasons for its final ruling.

Initially, the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Park Authority rejected the proposal in September 2024. Although an appeal to the Scottish government led to the decision being overturned, ministers later recalled the plans due to their potential impact on the local environment. The government acknowledged the potential economic benefits but concluded that the environmental risks, particularly flooding and woodland destruction, outweighed them.

Environmental advocates and local communities have hailed the decision as a major triumph. Ross Greer, Scottish Greens co-leader, emphasized the devastating impact the resort would have had on the environment and local community. Flamingo Land had resubmitted updated plans in 2020, titled Lomond Banks, aiming to differentiate from its other resorts, but faced continued opposition over environmental policies and flood risk concerns.