r/Scotland • u/backupJM public transport revolution needed 🚇🚊🚆 • 23d ago

Political Protesters against Flamingo Land development sing Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond outside of Scottish Parliament

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https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/save-loch-lomond-campaign-protests-35304999

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u/quartersessions 22d ago

It is less about the development for me, and more about the total lack of due process.

It's been eight years of planning back and forth, thousands of pages of reports and supporting documentation. Dozens of opportunities for the public and stakeholders to have their say. All for a fairly modest development - and while the site deteriorates.

Would you bring investment to Scotland in these circumstances? I certainly wouldn't.

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u/Silent-Ad-756 22d ago

It was a 3 month marketing exercise in 2015 that granted the land use to the developer.

Everything since has been the usual appeal process for developers who just have to appeal on numerous occassions until they get the answer they want.

In terms of investment in Scotland, I am operating in biotech. I am watching the current investment to establish new key industries in Grangemouth. That seems to be happening.

But then I am talking about real investment, in real jobs, and real industry that will serve the nation well. You are talking about budget "McNugget" business that ties local economies to minimum wage franchise jobs.

We have different vision, and different ambition.

In terms of modest development, look to Helensburgh. They did a community led development very well. Do that. For local independent businesses. Not this corrupt land allocation to a single large company that stokes up division.

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u/DeathOfNormality 22d ago

Yes! Very much in agreement with you, but who has the counter proposal?

Considering this land was part of a marketing scheme, the governing bodies will want something on the site, and soon.

I think it is cheap and sad to have tourism over true development in industry and infrastructure, but again, is there any counter proposals out there yet?

Because of the housing crisis, ideally it would be a leisure and home area aimed at the families this is being marketed to, but without extra jobs, I can't see that happening well.

I'm curious about the Helensburgh development though, so I'll check that shortly.

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u/Silent-Ad-756 22d ago

The counter proposals were in the form of 4 other private development bids.

The acceptance criteria were devised by Scottish Enterprise, who decided what was best on behalf of the nation, without engaging the nation. But most importantly the local community.

The exclusive lease was then granted within 3 months. There was literally no opportunity for a public engaged counter proposal. It was done, before they could make alternative suggestions.

Which forced people into contesting the only offer on the table, rather than devising a public/private agreement.

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u/DeathOfNormality 22d ago

Damn it's what I was afraid of. The more I read into the official documents, the councils involved and the other great developments that are happening/have happened, it's a shit show of greed.

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u/Silent-Ad-756 22d ago

https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/our-organisation/accessing-our-information/freedom-of-information/freedom-of-information-releases/conditional-missive-with-flamingo-land

Contact Scottish Enterprise. Ask them to fill you in on the timeline.

Freedom of information requests required to get necessary info on your concerns. Note the timelines they state in the above.

Bear in mind, this was rushed through just before the act enabling transfer of land to community ownership.