A consultation process is set to begin over the new £40 million Lomond Banks tourist project proposals.
As plans continue to evolve for the project at Woodbank and West Riverside in Balloch, the team behind it is set to host a series of online consultation events over the coming months to share its vision and gather feedback.
In the first of two extended consultation periods, the consultation portal, due to open on September 28, will provide stakeholders, the local community and other interested parties with the chance to engage and share their feedback. The Lomond Banks team revealed that all opinions and thoughts are welcomed to help shape the plans ahead of submission, with initial feedback set to be reviewed on October 15th.
On September 29, a business stakeholder event, facilitated by Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, and led by the Lomond Banks community lead Fiona Robertson, will provide a forum for local businesses and relevant industry representatives to put forward their thoughts on the plans.
The online portal will allow visitors to view current plans. Additionally, a planned live online session will be held from 7pm–8pm on October 7, where the team will answer questions from the public.
Jim Paterson, development director for the Lomond Banks project, said, “Our vision is to create a sustainable world class visitor experience here at Lomond Banks, one in which the local community and businesses of Balloch can be proud of. Central to this vision is our commitment to working alongside everyone within the area, to help shape our plans and ensure that Lomond Banks benefits both the local economy and residents, as well as being respectful and in-keeping with the environment around us.
“Our commitment to the local area goes far beyond the planning stages as we consider partnerships with local organisations, local training and employment opportunities and local businesses being key to our long-term supply chain.
“With hundreds of jobs and an investment of £40 million, the economic benefits of Lomond Banks are compelling, providing a real opportunity to give Balloch and the wider Loch Lomond area a much-needed boost. We are therefore providing an extended period of time, across both consultation periods, to welcome all feedback throughout the process and are encouraging the local community, through our public consultation events, to get involved and help shape Lomond Banks, here at Balloch.”
Access to the consultation events will be located on the Lomond Banks website, including the business event, via www.lomondbanks.com.
A second consultation event is due to take place in November, to show how community feedback has shaped the proposals ahead of the plans being submitted to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority.
