Scottish Ministers reject Flamingo Land at Loch Lomond

After a nearly year-long wait to find out if the proposal will be granted consent by the government a decision notice was published on the February 24, 2026.

In September 2024, the Yorkshire-based theme park operator, Flamingo Land Ltd, had their planning permission in principle rejected by all 14 board members in attendance.

The £40m proposals could create more than 100 holiday lodges, two hotels, a waterpark, a monorail, 372 car parking spaces, shops, and more on the site called 'Lomond Banks.

In June 2025, the application was recalled by the Scottish Government's Planning and Environmental Appeals Division, due to the "national significance" of the site.

Campaigners celebrate outside Lomond parish church, Balloch after the Flamingo Land development was rejected by the national park board. (Image: Colin Mearns)

A recommendation was made last year for ministers to approve the plans after the application was found to satisfy 50 conditions and an obligation.

Despite this, Scottish Ministers, rejected the proposal.

The decision notice reads: "For the reasons set out in this decision letter, the Scottish Ministers do not agree with the Reporter’s conclusions and hereby dismiss the appeal and refuse planning permission in principle for the proposed development."

The controversial application has been the subject of local and national division for years, having first been proposed by Flamingo Land Ltd in 2017 before it was redacted, revised and resubmitted in 2022.

Opposers to the plans said they had concerns about an increase in traffic of up to 14 more cars every second at peak times, environmental damage including flood risks and harm to local businesses.

The application which was dubbed 'the most unpopular in Scottish planning history', with over 150,000 people submitting objections through the campaign led by Scottish Greens.

They were joined by local community groups and expert organisations including the Woodland Trust and Ramblers Scotland.

Jim Paterson, Development Director for Lomond Banks, said: “We are extremely disappointed by the Scottish Ministers’ decision to dismiss our appeal for Lomond Banks.

“This proposal represented a transformational investment in Balloch and the wider area,  delivering significant employment, regeneration and long-term economic benefits to one of Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities. The independent Reporter appointed by the Scottish Government carefully assessed the application and was still minded to recommend approval, recognising the substantial socio-economic, tourism and heritage benefits the project would bring.

“Today’s outcome is dismissive of the Reporter’s recommendation and flies in the face of what this area was ear-marked to accomplish, which is bad news for Scottish business and tourism as a whole, not to mention the local people who will now miss out on jobs, local supply chain opportunities and wider investment as a result.

“We note that the Ministers’ reasons for refusal relate primarily to flood risk modelling and ancient woodland impacts. We remain confident that these matters can be fully addressed through detailed design, further technical assessment and appropriate mitigation,  as is standard practice at the planning permission in principle stage.

“We will now carefully review the decision in full and consider our options.”

Heather Reid, convener of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: "In September 2024, our Board voted unanimously to refuse the Lomond Banks planning application. Today, Scottish Ministers confirmed their decision to dismiss the appeal against that decision. This means the National Park Authority’s refusal of planning permission in principle stands.

"We very much welcome this decision, which largely vindicates and aligns with key conclusions reached by both our Planning Officers’ recommendation and our Board in its unanimous refusal of this application. It also provides welcome clarity as to how National Planning Framework 4 policies on flooding, woodland protection and biodiversity should be applied.

"This is a successful outcome that recognises the statutory aims of the National Park and supports the long-term vision for the National Park set out in our National Park Partnership Plan - a vision where people and nature not only coexist, but thrive together.

“Our Planning Officers will now review the Ministers’ decision in full and consider all accompanying report details. There remains a six-week period during which the applicant or a third party may seek a legal challenge to the decision.

"Meanwhile, our long-term commitment to working with the local community in Balloch continues, ensuring their voices and priorities help shape future land use, including through the current preparation of its Local Place Plan and the Balloch Pierhead Improvement Action Plan.”