A new tourist resort could be built at Loch Lomond after Flamingo Land Limited was appointed preferred developer for a 20 hectare site in Balloch.
The company operates the hugely popular Flamingo Land holiday resort in North Yorkshire and its proposals for the Loch Lomond Shores site include lodges, a boutique hotel, hostel and glamping pods along with a range of family attractions and restaurants.
Scottish Enterprise named the firm as the preferred developer and said the company will looking to build on the existing success of Loch Lomond Shores which has seen visitor levels rise over the last five years to 1.25 million visitors annually.
Gordon Gibb, chief executive of Flamingo Land Limited said, “We are excited by the prospect of creating a resort in the National Park that recognises the importance and sensitivity of the site. We see huge potential on the West Riverside and view this as a fantastic opportunity to create a family oriented attraction that supports the sustainable tourism objectives of the National Park.
“Loch Lomond is internationally recognised and opportunities like West Riverside are rare. We look forward to working with Scottish Enterprise, the National Park Authority and the local community of Balloch as we work up our detailed proposals for the site.”
Derek McCrindle, director of growth sector at Scottish Enterprise added, “Since we developed Loch Lomond Shores in 2002 within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park it has seen significant success. Building on this, West Riverside in Balloch has the potential to generate even more long term economic benefits for Scotland not only through job creation but by securing the National Park as a key international tourism destination.
“Following a stringent bidding process, Flamingo Land’s proposal – Iconic Leisure Resort Loch Lomond – clearly aims to recognise the key sensitivities of developing within Scotland’s National Park.”
Gordon Watson chief executive of Loch Lomond & The Trossach National Park said, “This announcement is a very welcome development following the successful planning ‘charrette’ events held in Balloch earlier this year. A key point that came out of the Charrette was the aspiration in the local community to see the West Riverside developed in a way that connects Lomond Shores to the village, to make the most of Balloch as a gateway to Loch Lomond.”
