DETAILS of a Flamingo Land “exclusivity agreement” have been called for by a Scottish Greens candidate seeking re-election in West of Scotland.
Ross Greer has requested details from the Scottish Government of the “agreement” which means that land at Loch Lomond currently owned by Scottish Enterprise will be sold to Flamingo Land should planning permission be granted.
A previous application to sell the plot of land on the shores of Loch Lomond was withdrawn after National Park planning officers joined West Dunbartonshire Council recommending refusal.
However Scottish Enterprise says it still supports the principle of development at the site - and insists that its decision not to put its name to any future application is simply to avoid the potential for any conflict of interest in the event of Scottish ministers “calling in” new development plans.
After requesting the details of the new exclusivity agreement from the Scottish Governmen, Mr Greer said: “There is massive public interest in this agreement and not just from the 60,000 people who objected last time.
“Another secretive deal simply wouldn’t be acceptable. Most of this site is owned by the Scottish Government. They do so on behalf of the public.
“To renew the exclusivity agreement with Flamingo Land in the face of massive opposition is extremely controversial and the community deserves maximum transparency.
“This is no ordinary business deal, and Scottish Enterprise’s response to my request should bear that in mind.”
Invited to comment, the Scottish Government referred the Reporter to an answer given by Nicola Sturgeon during First Minister’s Questions at the Scottish Parliament on December 23, 2020, when she said: “As I understand it, such decisions are not really decisions for Scottish Enterprise. Scottish Enterprise will sell the land at West Riverside to Flamingo Land only if a new planning application is consented.
“Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority is the planning authority, and it will be the body that considers any new planning application that is submitted to it.
“As I understand it, a new proposal has not been lodged with the national park authority.
“It is really important that the processes in question are robust, and it is probably important that I do not express views on them at this stage.
“I absolutely understand the concerns of the public on such issues, but I think that it is important that the processes are followed appropriately, and they will be.”
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