THE developer behind plans for the build of Lomond Banks tourist destination has welcomed an updated positioning statement from SEPA on the proposals.
The government agency said that it would review its objection to the plans should Loch Lomond and the National Park confirm the categorisation of the land as being previously developed.
Lomond Banks said this step in the process heralds final submissions from statutory consultees following over two years of consultations, liaison with the community, shaping the plans to meet the needs of the local area and complying with the relevant National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) policies, which were recently introduced.
The developer added that the letter from June 5 highlighted that, if the planning authority consider that an exception applies, SEPA would lift its current objection on the planning permission in principle proposals but withheld its right to review further at detailed planning stages.
Now proposed £40 million development would bring. ‘sustainable, world-class’ tourism destination to Balloch, which the developers said would see ‘significant’ economic investment in the area as well as a ‘considerable’ amount of jobs.
The proposals have been supported by many local business groups and organisations including the Dumbarton Chamber of Commerce, the Maid of the Loch, Sweeneys Cruises, Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, as well as Helensburgh and District Access Trust.
Development director for Lomond Banks, Jim Paterson, said, “We are encouraged by SEPA’s considered response. It highlights that should the National Park Authority determine the land use classification of West Riverside and Station Square as a previously used site, where the Local Development Plan has identified a need to bring it into positive use and complies with the exceptions criteria of NPF4 Policy 22a – flood risk and water management, then it has no objection to the principle of development at West Riverside and Station Square.
“Should this in principle planning application be approved, the final numbers, scale, and location of structures within all areas of the Lomond Banks proposal would be subject to further scrutiny by SEPA and all statutory consultees at the detailed planning application stage. Further detailed assessments including flood risk will help define the exact details for West Riverside and Station Square.
“This correspondence also signifies the end of the statutory consultation period. We have worked diligently to ensure we have provided ample evidence to support the proposal’s compliance with NPF4 Policy 22a exceptions criteria and anticipate the National Park’s formal classification in due course.”
