Our plans include a revised vision of the site adjacent to the pierhead, separate to the public slipway managed by the National Park, to be more in keeping with the natural landscape, and the complete removal of any development in the ancient woodland of Drumkinnon Wood. More extensive ecological evaluations have also been undertaken for this submission to ensure a considered approach to the development and protection of the surrounding environment.
Breaking away from our traditional portfolio of theme parks, the proposed new Lomond Banks development will be centred around a new accommodation-led resort that will be devised to complement the local environment whilst bringing much needed investment and job creation to Balloch and West Dunbartonshire.
The new proposals for West Riverside and Woodbank House, which is adjacent to Loch Lomond Shores, have for some time been identified for tourism development in the Local Development Plan. The Lomond Banks development team will work with leading planning consultants, Stantec, and project architects, Anderson, Bell + Christie, to deliver the prestigious project.
Lomond Banks also includes the retention of the Grade A Listed Woodbank House, which is on the ‘Buildings at Risk’ register. The conservation and redevelopment of these listed structures within the site will be subject to future applications for Detailed Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent (LBC).
The development has also made significant pledges regarding employment, supporting local supply chain in the area as well as providing learning and training opportunities for visitors and staff alongside creating close links to local schools and colleges.
With the outline planning submission having been registered by the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority, we will now seek Planning Permission in Principle, at this stage. If approved, the team would progress to work on plans for Detailed Planning Permission. At this point, the indicative details outlined below would be confirmed.
The proposed development comprises a tourism, leisure, and recreation-led mixed-use development, including:
- Refurbished tourist information building
- Up to 60-bedroom apartment-hotel
- Up to 32 bedspace budget hotel
- Up to 104 self-catering holiday lodges (comprised of up to 42 single story woodland lodges (Riverfront), up to 37 countryside lodges (in grounds of Woodbank House) and up to 25 woodland lodges (in grounds of Woodbank House)
- Up to six self-catering holiday properties in Woodbank House ancillary buildings
- Restoration and redevelopment/conversion of Woodbank House for up to 15 self-catering holiday apartments (subject to other necessary constraints)
- Leisure / pool / water park / spa
- Restaurants / hot food café / retail areas
- Craft brewery including pub
- Visitor reception area and hub building
- External activity areas including areas for event and performance, play, picnic and barbeque areas
- Monorail
- Staff service and welfare accommodation (dispersed through the development)
- Associated parking, landscaping, and infrastructure development works
- Access to be taken from the surrounding road network including Ben Lomond Way and Pier Road
The revised plans for West Riverside and Woodbank House offer an opportunity for a unique leisure-based development that truly respects and complements the surrounding area. It is also in-line with the long-standing vision for the site that has been held by the local authority for more than 30 years, which has been articulated in the Local Development Plan and in the Balloch Charrette.
The vision – along with our conservation credentials – will bring new life to the site, honouring its industrial past, improving biodiversity and protecting the natural woodland setting. These qualities are essential to the overall character of the development and the local area and central to the developer’s vision.
The application will be determined by National Park Authority in due course.
Click on the ‘Our Proposals’ section above, to read more about the plans and how you can support them.