A record-breaking 140,000 people have now joined my campaign to save Loch Lomond from Flamingo Land’s destructive mega resort proposals for Balloch.

Their daft plans are now the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history. In a few short weeks, we’ll find out whether the National Park listens to this outpouring of public opposition and votes to reject.

Scotland’s beauty spots don’t come more iconic than Loch Lomond.

But Yorkshire-based theme park operator Flamingo Land’s plan is for a colossal development at Balloch, including 104 lodges, 372 car parking spaces, two hotels, a waterpark, monorail and much more.

This isn’t a new proposal, they’ve been trying to get permission for nearly a decade now, repeatedly tweaking and rebranding in an attempt to get Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority’s approval.

The application admits that the development will attract as many as one car every 14 seconds at peak times on the already dangerously congested A82. At a time when the National Park is trying to better manage the huge numbers of visitors who arrive every summer, this would be a huge step backwards.

Scottish environmental watchdog SEPA has objected due to the flood risk. The problem for Flamingo Land is that any effort to mitigate against this risks exposing the contaminated earth under the section of the site which hosted the rail line to the loch shore until around forty years ago. This is a perfect example of how unsuitable the site is for a massive development like this.

And locals are worried about the loss of access to well-used and popular greenspace, especially Drumkinnon Woods.

The plans are opposed by a vast majority of those living in Balloch, the local community council, almost 140,000 members of the public, the National Trust for Scotland, Ramblers Scotland, the Woodland Trust and many others.

We now have just one month until the final decision is made by the National Park’s board on September 16.

I’ve been proud to lead this campaign throughout my time as the region’s Green MSP. Back in 2019 we defeated their first application and urged Flamingo Land to walk away. Sadly, despite promises not to press ahead without public support, they are still determined to get their hands on this iconic site.

And let's be honest, their only interest is profit, not protecting Scotland’s world-famous natural environment.

Flamingo Land has treated the community with contempt for almost a decade now, but the Scottish Greens have been proud to support residents and oppose this greedy company. Those living in Balloch are exhausted. They desperately want to see the back of Flamingo Land.

You can support them and help save Loch Lomond. Lodge your objection at www.greens.scot/FlamingoLand