MSP blasts extension of Flamingo Land's exclusivity agreement three months after Loch Lomond resort plan fails

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Dumbarton’s MSP has blasted Scottish Enterprise bosses after they revealed they will not cut ties with Flamingo Land despite their controversial plans for a £40million Loch Lomond resort being thrown out.

Jackie Baillie claims the move effectively paves the way for Yorkshire-based attractions operator Flamingo Land to appeal against Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority’s decision to refuse permission for their proposed Lomond Banks development.The proposed 46-acre ‘Lomond Banks’ resort, which would have built 104 woodland lodges, two hotels, a waterpark, monorail, 372 car parking spaces, shops and more on the iconic shoreline, was hugely controversial with locals and green groups.On September 16, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park unanimously rejected the firm’s plans for the resort on land at West Riverside.And the deadline for an appeal to the Scottish Government passed on December 16.But Scottish Enterprise – Scotland’s national economic development agency – chiefs have now extended the agreement "to allow any planning appeal to be considered" and has said it is complying with Scotland’s statutory planning process.Ms Baillie, who spoke in objection to the plan to create a complex including monorail, water park and hotel, in a section of woodland, said: “I’m extremely disappointed by Scottish Enterprise’s decision to extend the exclusivity agreement to the West Riverside site, which will effectively enable Flamingo Land to lodge an appeal.“This was a unanimous decision of the Loch Lomond and National Park Authority’s board, following a very tense meeting, during which the feelings of the community were made clear.“I am clear that there is significant opposition to this development in the