Scotland is frequently listed as one of the top tourism destinations in the world, with people flocking to experience its nature, landscapes, heritage and communities.
Our masterplan represents a £40 million world-class, sustainable tourism investment and will help to realise Balloch’s Tourism Destination vision, reaffirming the town as the true gateway to Loch Lomond.
The development, which has ambitions to become Scotland’s first “Whole Life Zero Carbon Resort” that celebrates the wildlife and biodiversity of Loch Lomond, will transform an area of Balloch which is currently marked for tourism and leisure development in the Local Development Plan (LDP).
Our Planning Permission in Principle (PPiP) proposal has evolved significantly from its original form back in 2018, following extensive engagement and feedback from the local community and key stakeholders, as well as the National Park Authority. These significant amendments were made to further respect the sensitivities of the location and its natural beauty and meet the vision for this area as a key tourism destination.
Our vision to bring about plans that create economic growth, investment, jobs and an infrastructure that will benefit the local community and beyond, is unwavering.
We anticipate bringing approximately 200 full-time and part-time/ seasonal posts to the area. In addition to this, there will also be hundreds of indirect local jobs created during the construction phase.
All of our commitments to ecology, jobs, training, local supply chain, traffic and infrastructure has been curated into ‘The Lomond Promise’ a legal agreement which we foresee will form conditions of our development plans.
This world-class family holiday destination will see more people experience everything the area has to offer in line with the vision that has been held by development agencies and the local authority since the early 1990s.
Inspired by the award-winning tourism forest adventure parks and woodland accommodation already on offer in Scotland’s National Parks, Lomond Banks aims to create a quality destination, which is accessible, affordable and family oriented.
The plans will bring new life to the site’s extensive industrial past, by improving biodiversity and providing a visitor hub, active leisure activities, restaurants and cafes and self-catering woodland-lodges at the reimagined Woodbank House.
Crucially, the masterplan balances protecting and caring for the natural woodland setting that is essential to the overall character of the development and the local area, while creating a welcoming and enjoyable visitor destination that attracts families for days out, holidays and short-breaks.
Key facts and benefits at a glance:
- £40 million investment in the local area
- Approximately 200 full-time, part-time, and seasonal jobs ranging from entry level positions through to highly skilled posts across many disciplines
- Numerous local jobs and apprenticeship opportunities created during the early construction phase of the project
- Extensive supply-chain which would be nurtured on value-based partnerships with local suppliers
- Legally binding ‘Lomond Promise’ created which includes:
- No zero-hour contracts
- Real living wages
- Job and training opportunities for local people
- Commitment to local business, supply chain and marketing campaigns
- Mitigating traffic impact
- 24/7 access to woodland paths and national walkways
- Preserving, protecting and enhancing the ancient woodland of Drumkinnon Wood
- Subsidised entry to facilities for local residents (where charges apply)
- Measures to monitor and control anti-social behaviour
- Creation of a high-quality tourism and recreation-led destination, comprising of hotel and holiday accommodation, combined with family orientated leisure activities, that the local community can enjoy and be proud of for generations to come
- Ambition to become Scotland’s first “Whole Life Zero Carbon Resort” that celebrates the wildlife and biodiversity of Loch Lomond
- Visitors will be encouraged to leave their car behind and use sustainable means of travel including Scotrail and local bus service to Balloch
- Existing vehicle and boat access points to be maintained throughout
- Pedestrian and cycle links to be developed throughout the site and existing routes maintained, which will greatly expand and enhance the walking, cycling and public transport environment within the immediate site and improve connectivity between Loch Lomond Shores and the wider Balloch village.
