Our columnist gives her opinion on the new plans for Flamingo Land at Loch Lomond , the planning application from the approved company is now officially lodged.

Flamingo Land – why does that name not totally inspire confidence? – has made its bid to link the area between Balloch and Loch Lomond Shores with a 20 hectares mixed use development.

Their document outlines some of their ambitions: “Hotel, bunkhouse accommodation, self-catering holiday lodges and boathouse accommodation; residential development; leisure and recreational facilities including swimming pool, water park, visitor reception and education/interpretation facilities; hot food/café restaurant uses; brewery; ancillary uses including retail.”

It will not be a theme park like their Yorkshire one, insist Scottish Enterprise, who own the land in question. You would hope not.

You need sunglasses just to read the promotional material for their theme park near Scarborough. SE involved the national park in the developer selection process – as they are required to do – but, reading not too far between the lines, I suspect their advice was sought not so much as to whether this venture would enhance the area, as how it might boost visitor numbers.

Supporters of this development point to the economic impact; to new jobs, enhanced infrastructure etc. And I take the point that NIMBYism should not stop Scotland maximizing its assets.

But I fear that in siting such a major development within a area whose principal attraction is its outstanding natural and rural beauty, we may be putting at risk one of our most precious assets, rather than improving it.

Loch Lomond is a recognisable brand worldwide. And not because it has a “water park, a brewery, and ancillary uses including retail.”.

In theory, it is subject to two kinds of protection in respect of its special status. It is one of Scotland’s 40 National Scenic Areas, roughly equivalent to the English designation of areas of outstanding natural beauty.

And it is, of course, one of our two national parks, set up in 2000.

These have four main functions: to conserve and enhance the natural heritage, to promote sustainable use of resources, to promote understanding and enjoyment (including recreation), and to promote sustainable economic and social development of the local communities.

But the crucial rider to the legislation which created the Parks was that “where these aims conflict, the relevant National Park Authority must prioritise the first of these aims”.

In other words, economic development must not trump the need to preserve our natural and national heritage.

I remain underwhelmed by the thought of a new ditty comprising the less than immortal lines “On The Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Flamingo Land.”