Our £40 million sustainable tourism destination has been shaped by more than two years of extensive engagement with the local community, businesses, and stakeholders as well as having been guided by the established plans for the local area and the mainstream economic and social policies of the country.
Residents, community groups and organisations have shared feedback, directly influencing the final proposals and helping us to create ‘The Lomond Promise’, a legally binding commitment, covering local jobs, training, support for local suppliers, biodiversity protection, sustainable transport, and more.
We are keen to address the misinformation that is being spread and instead provide the facts around Lomond Banks, and highlight why the development represents a positive, forward-looking investment in the future of Balloch, Loch Lomond, and the wider region.
Dispelling the Myths About Lomond Banks
- Myth: Lomond Banks is a theme park.
- Truth: There is no theme park within our proposals for Lomond Banks. This is a major step away from our usual business offering and is much more sympathetic to the natural surrounds of Balloch/Loch Lomond.
The Reporter concluded that all proposed uses are appropriate to the site’s visitor experience designation. The development includes accommodation, a leisure pool, and public realm upgrades – not thrill rides or amusement attractions. It is a world-class, low-impact, sustainable tourism development, not an amusement park.
“The proposal is consistent with the LDP and none of the proposed uses are incompatible with the site’s allocations.” – Reporter’s Assessment
- Myth: ‘More than 155,000 people objected to the Lomond Banks development’.
- Truth: While an online petition claimed to gather more than 155,000 signatures, these figures are not independently verifiable. In contrast, the official planning process received just 760 formal objections, a small number given the scale and reach of the project.
“The planning process received a limited number of formal objections in relation to the project’s scale and context.” – Reporter’s Assessment (para. 2.28)
- Myth: ‘Flamingo Land is an English company that will bring nothing to the local economy’.
- Truth: Flamingo Land is a Scottish registered company incorporated since March 1973. Lomond Banks is also a company registered in Scotland, which will deliver local employment and training opportunities, as well as generating inward investment to Scotland.
The Reporter specifically noted locally significant employment and long-term inward investment as key benefits of the scheme.
“The proposal’s likely socioeconomic effects are reasonable and would be locally significant beneficial effects in both the short and long term.” – Reporter’s Assessment (para. 2.28)
- Myth: Lomond Banks is a mega resort.
- Truth: Lomond Banks is not a mega resort – our plan is to create a £40million world class sustainable tourism destination that is fitting to its environment. The term mega resort is designed to give connotations of something on a different scale to that which is outlined in our plans.
The Reporter acknowledged the scale was not excessive, noting the application was made with maximum parameters for environmental transparency – not overdevelopment.
“Concerns about scale were dismissed; the application sets maximum parameters for assessment purposes only.” – Reporter’s Assessment (para. 2.3)
- Myth: The public will lose access.
- Truth: Public access to the beach, pierhead, and pathways will be retained and enhanced, with core path improvements and community access guarantees, all secured by planning conditions.
“A scheme for the improvement of the John Muir Way Core Path… shall be submitted and approved.” – Planning Condition 18
- Myth: Drumkinnon Wood is in danger.
- Truth: The ancient woodland of Drumkinnon Wood will come under a woodland management plan to ensure its longevity is preserved. In the future, we would also look to establish a working group on its protection and maintenance to ensure local involvement.
“Compensatory planting and long-term management of Drumkinnon Wood is secured.” -Reporter’s Assessment (para. 2.6, 2.14); Planning Condition 14
- Myth: The development will dominate the loch.
- Truth: The lochside impact of Lomond Banks is minimal and proportionate with the development directly fronting onto only 280 metres of Loch Lomond’s 153.5-kilometre shoreline – less than 0.2% of its total length – while public access to the beach and pierhead area will remain open at all times, with enhancements to footpaths and infrastructure.
The Reporter raised no concerns about lochside encroachment or visual dominance.
“The development will not be detrimental, and there is no likelihood of significant effects on the integrity of the
National Park.” – Reporter’s Assessment, para. 2.21
- Myth: Wildlife will be adversely affected.
- Truth: This is categorically untrue and not supported by the independent environmental or statutory assessments. In fact, biodiversity protection and enhancement are central to the proposal. No statutory agencies oppose the development on biodiversity grounds and our biodiversity protections have been assessed as robust, realistic, and enforceable.
“The mitigation proposed will be sufficient to ensure there would be no adverse effect on any protected species. Objectors’ fears are not supported by evidence.” – Reporter’s Assessment, para. 2.7
- Myth: Roads will be at a standstill.
- Truth: Despite transport assessments satisfying planners and there being no technical objection from the statutory consultee, West Dunbartonshire Council, we have listened to concerns raised by the community and have agreed in principle a Section 48 agreement with Transport Scotland helping them to prioritise their plans to improve the Stoneymollan Roundabout, and with West Dunbartonshire Council for improvements to the McDonald’s Roundabout on the approach to Balloch. The Reporter also confirmed there are no technical objections from statutory consultees.
“Transport issues were properly investigated… the scale of traffic will be minor compared to existing levels.” – Reporter’s Assessment (para. 2.25–2.26)
- Myth: Lomond Banks has ignored local voices.
- Truth: This is simply not true, we have spent more than two years engaging vigorously with the local community, businesses and organisations to help shape our plans. It is through this consultation and engagement that the Lomond Promise, our legally binding commitments to local jobs, training, support for local suppliers, biodiversity protection and sustainable transport, was born.
A Unique Opportunity Backed by Independent Review
Lomond Banks represents a rare and valuable opportunity to deliver sustainable, well-managed tourism at one of Scotland’s most iconic locations. Following a thorough and independent assessment, the Scottish Government’s Reporter has confirmed that the development:
- Aligns fully with national and local planning policy
- Has minimal, well-mitigated environmental impact
- Secures public access and delivers tangible community benefits
- Offers long-term value through sustainable tourism and economic regeneration
A key part of the proposal is the sensitive restoration of Woodbank House – a nationally significant, Grade A listed building currently in ruin. Its revival will not only preserve the heritage of the area but contribute to the cultural and economic life of the region.
This is not just another development. It is a responsibly designed investment in Balloch’s future, rooted in community consultation, backed by evidence, and shaped to respect the renowned landscape it sits within.
The proposals have garnered a lot of support from local groups, individuals and key stakeholders including Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Loch Lomond, Maid of the Loch, Helensburgh and District Access Trust (HADAT), and local parish minister Rev Ian Miller who has served the local community for more than 30 years, to name but a few.
Lomond Banks offers a path forward which balances conservation with opportunity, one that many within the community supports and that Scotland can be proud of for generations to come.