At long last some indication as to what Flamingo Land are proposing for their development here in Balloch.

The public display posters shown at Loch Lomond Shores showed their Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) info. Balloch and Haldane Community Council (BHCC) has a number of issues with what was shown but will not make comment to the national park planning board until the full planning application is submitted with associated papers.

Meantime BHCC will make comment to Flamingo Land on PAC issues missing from the plans.

Near neighbours to the development and others are already making their views known and now is the time to influence changes to what appears on the final plans submitted.

BHCC support the idea of a £30million development, but the community has to be heard and a consensus of local opinion accepted.

BHCC has an issue that the lit riverside walkway from Sweeney’s to the INEOS pipeline is not on the plans. This lit public walkway has been talked about since the Shores was built and the small path already there should be enhanced and integrated into the plan.

Pier Road being gated is another contentious issue. This has been local access, vehicular and pedestrian, for as long as I can remember to the bay area and the Maid of the Loch.

Strong representations will be made to keep this access fully open for public use. River Leven bank protection is yet another issue. SEPA have stated that no work can take place on the riverbank.

Obviously, they have not visited the area to see the erosion taking place. SEPA will have to justify this decision, which puts the whole of West Riverside eventually being washed down the river.

We have to wait and see what other relevant public bodies and companies as well as the community have to say regarding the development.There is still a long way to go.