Anti-social behaviour

The youth violence in and around Balloch Park is unacceptable and I met with police and other community leaders to agree a plan to tackle this anti-social behaviour.

I want to stress that Balloch remains a safe place to visit and enjoy, and that there is an increased police presence and work going on in the background to deal with the problem element.

I cannot go into detail lest the actions being taken be undermined, but I would like to thank the police for the very quick and proactive response they are taking in our community.

Loch Tragedy

Recent deaths in Loch Lomond and other lochs and rivers across Scotland are tragic.

People must make themselves aware of the dangers of swimming in open water before they venture out there.

Open water swimming can be fun, invigorating and a great way to exercise, but you must research where you intend to swim before you get in the water, and prepare appropriately.

Loch Lomond has many areas where the loch bed suddenly drops away and there are hidden sub-surface currents.

There are also deadly ‘cold spots’, where temperatures can be 10 degrees or more colder than surrounding water.

If you find yourself suddenly in one of these cold spots, your body will involuntarily tense and gasp in air. You won’t be able to stop it.

You could easily find yourself incapable of keeping your head above water while uncontrollably inhaling.

Know what you’re doing, where you’re swimming and how to prepare before swimming wild.

Flamingo Land

A new application has been submitted to the National Park Planning Authority by Flamingo Land. As many readers will know, I was successful in persuading all colleagues cross party to object to the previous application, which in my view was not suitable for the location due to its scale and the proposed locations of certain aspects of their plan.

As I write this, the plans are not yet in the public domain.

When they are published, I’ll be scrutinising them closely to see whether the concerns of the council and most importantly, those of local people who like me, live and work in Balloch, have been heeded.

I want to see investment that brings more jobs and visitors to the area, but massive disruption to the lives of local people and destruction of our natural assets (the very things that bring visitors to our area), isn’t a price worth paying.

I’d very much like to hear the views of the local people I’m elected to represent before I decide whether I’m in favour or opposed to the latest proposals. You can email me in confidence at planning@mccoll.scot.