Car parking and access provisions made in the planning application for the Balloch leisure park development have come under fire.

In the planning statement submitted on behalf of Flamingo Land and Scottish Enterprise, the use of access routes and the installation of new car parking spaces are outlined.

The proposals, critics argue, will still create overwhelming traffic flow issues, as well as over burden the parking areas already available around Balloch train station.

The plans set out access points along Ben Lomond Way and Pier Road for the West Riverside development, while Old Luss Road will be the main point of access to the Woodbank House site.

There is also to be a new car park built to the west of Pier Road which, along with other reconstituted spaces, will result in a total of 330 new spaces across the site.

A place has also been made for additional 'Park and Ride' spaces for rail passengers in an attempt to reduce street parking around the station.

Despite this, it is unclear whether these provisions would have the desired effect.

There is also yet to be thorough consultation on what proper signage would need to be installed, and the environmental effect of the appearance of more vehicles in the area us not yet fully understood.

A traffic survey has been carried out by the National Park, but those standing against the development believe it is not enough.

Lomond councillor Sally Page said: "I am indeed very worried that at the moment it seems that the National Park planning department is content with the traffic survey that has been produced by the developer.

"I have called for West Dunbartonshire Council to carry out their own traffic survey and indeed a few local residents have priced up having this undertaken privately. I will address this in an official way once recess is over.

"In Balloch, last weekend, we enjoyed a fine summer's day for the Highland Games. I walked from the Games through Balloch Park, up to Loch Lomond Shores, onto Old Luss Road, down Pier Road, to the Duncan Mills slipway - there were people everywhere enjoying the great weather, there were cars parked in all the car parks including the overflow one. The slipway was launching boats one after the other and the trailer car park was full, cars and trailers were parked on Pier Road. Old Luss Road was quiet, but McDonald's was extremely busy.

"I have made my objection to the National Park for this application based on questioning how such a development could possibly be made to fit with the Local Development Plan, other policies and the National Park's own vision and aims.

"Visit Scotland produced an excellent publication, Trends 2018, which expresses concern about overwhelming destination areas so that they become less attractive places to live 365 days per year - this is what this development would certainly achieve."

Andy Miller, director of sales for Flamingo Land, hit back at the criticisms with details of how the planning proposal addresses these concerns.

He told the Reporter: "Our road traffic experts have worked closely with the council's roads department and Transport Scotland to ensure the delivery of a traffic survey data report which accurately reflects the effects of current and proposed vehicle movements.

"On site traffic flow will be controlled and managed with operational procedures in place each and every day at peak times to prevent the likelihood of causing any further congestion with concise signage to avoid confusion.

"Our plan is to reduce the amount of traffic journeys a car makes and encourage visitors to get around on foot where practical by upgrading the internal walkways and introducing appealing and interesting people moving transportation, such as the monorail."

Mr Miller explained that even more car parking spaces, and more efficient facilities, will be in place than the community already has.

He also laid out the provisions being considered to tackle the environmental impact of the development, including a compliant surface water drainage system, daily in house refuse collection and recycle bins, energy efficient lighting systems, training and education to ensure staff and visitors comply adjust their behaviour to keep the environment clean and healthy, as well as working with public transport operators to develop services and provide incentives which will raise awareness and encourage better use of public transport.

Mr Miller added: "Loch Lomond Shores reports that they receive 1.2 million visitors to the location, however, as it currently stands, the vast majority of those visitors are passers by.

"Our development looks to keep many of the current visitors for a longer period, which will bring so much more benefit and opportunities for the local economy.

"It would be interesting to know what aspects of the development don't fit with the National Park's vision.

"Our proposals include a leisure club, youth hostel or bunk house, a hotel, woodland lodges, restaurants, and kids' outdoor activities, for example.

"Having spent a lot of time in there, I have experienced all of these in their worst and best formats around the park."