Plans for a controversial £40 million theme park resort on the banks of Loch Lomond have once again come under fire, prompting an emergency public meeting set for 30 May. The proposed Flamingo Land development, which includes hotels, over 100 holiday lodges, a waterpark, restaurants, and a monorail, has faced prolonged resistance from politicians, conservationists, and local communities.
Originally introduced in 2018, the proposal was withdrawn a year later following significant public backlash. A revised version was submitted in 2020, with developers claiming it would represent a “major step away” from their existing theme park and zoo in Yorkshire. However, despite these adjustments, the project has continued to draw widespread criticism.
Located within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, the development site is home to ancient oak woodlands, rare wildlife such as red deer, and some of Scotland’s most celebrated natural scenery. Environmental concerns have been central to the opposition, with critics arguing that the project could cause irreversible harm to the protected landscape.
Earlier this year, the Scottish Government approved the resort, overturning a previous rejection by the national park authority. That decision has been condemned by campaigners, including Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer, who described the move as an “anti-democratic outrage.” Greer also highlighted the breadth of opposition, citing formal objections from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the National Trust for Scotland, and more than 155,000 people who signed the Save Loch Lomond petition.
Greer stated, “We are urgently considering our options for continuing this fight. I will leave no stone unturned in the campaign to save Loch Lomond.”
The national park authority has also raised concerns over what it describes as the “unacceptable” risk of flooding from the nearby River Leven. Although a recent report attached 49 conditions to the development’s approval—asserting that the site could operate safely—many local stakeholders remain unconvinced.
Balloch and Haldane Community Council expressed disappointment in the government’s decision, arguing that it undermines local sentiment and fails to reflect the wishes of the affected communities. Meanwhile, a petition opposing the resort has now surpassed 174,000 signatures.
Proponents of the development argue that it could deliver a significant economic boost to the region, bringing jobs and increasing tourism. However, as public pressure mounts, the future of the Flamingo Land project remains uncertain.
In a broader context of theme park expansion across the UK, Paultons Park in Hampshire is planning to open a £12 million Viking-themed world, Valgard – Realm of the Vikings, in 2026. The development is expected to compete with major attractions such as Alton Towers and Thorpe Park.
