Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 June 2025
11 Jun 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Lomond Banks Planning Application
It is a pleasure to contribute to the debate. I go back to an interesting question that was posed in the previous debate. Yet again, it rests with Opposition parties to bring really important current questions to the chamber so that the Government can reach decisions.
In relation to the timetable of what has happened since Labour’s motion was lodged, as Jackie Baillie rightly pointed out, there has been a complete and utter U-turn. As Tom Arthur found in his opening speech, the challenge is that ministers, in their role in making such decisions, potentially bring problems upon themselves.
I want to pick up on a number of issues. First, I absolutely agree with Bob Doris on the accessibility of published reports on decisions within the planning framework, not just at reporter level but at other levels. A serious discussion has to take place on the accessibility and transparency of our planning system, so that people who are directly affected can, without having to seek expensive advice, understand decisions that are taken. As Pam Gosal rightly said, such people feel that their voices are not being heard.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-17862, in the name of Jackie Baillie, on planning. I invite members who wish to participate to press thei...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
When Loch Lomond and the Trossachs became Scotland’s first national park in 2002, it was after 60 years of campaigning. Generations of Scots wanted to protec...
Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP)
SNP
Will Jackie Baillie give way?
Jackie Baillie
Lab
I am happy to, if Bob Doris is brief.
Bob Doris
SNP
As someone who hails from that part of the world, I concur with Jackie Baillie’s point. My mum and dad were in Levenvale until they passed away. We need more...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
I agree absolutely with Bob Doris. I am not against development at the site, but we need to think carefully about the size and appropriateness of any develop...
The Minister for Employment and Investment (Tom Arthur)
SNP
As required by the Scottish ministerial code, all ministers are restricted from commenting publicly on live planning applications, as doing so could potentia...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister give way?
Tom Arthur
SNP
I am afraid that I am restricting my comments in the debate to my prepared remarks, given that the matter concerns a live planning application. It remains t...
Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green)
Green
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Can we have Mr Greer’s microphone on, please?
Ross Greer
Green
I hear that this desk is not working, Deputy Presiding Officer. If you give me a second, I will move.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We have a little bit of time in hand, so I can give you the time back.
Ross Greer
Green
I will try again. Grand. I thank Jackie Baillie for giving us the opportunity to have this debate and for forcing the move to recall this afternoon. For a ...
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Ross Greer
Green
I am afraid that I do not have time at this point, but I would be happy to take the member’s intervention in closing. Why is it a major development? We are ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We move to the open debate. I advise the chamber that, unusually, we have a little bit of time in hand, so members should get time back for brief interventio...
Pam Gosal (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
I am pleased to open such an important debate on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives, and I thank Jackie Baillie for bringing this important issue to the ch...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Through the chair, Ms Gosal.
Pam Gosal
Con
I am sorry. Although I welcome the decision, it is important to know why it was made. Flamingo Land’s development has been unpopular since day 1 and has r...
Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (LD)
LD
The proposed development at Loch Lomond has definitely filled my inbox more than any other planning issue over the years. My office has dubbed it the “Loch L...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We move to the open debate. 16:25
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
The Flamingo Land development clearly resonates across the country as a national concern, and the Scottish Government only just seems to have realised that. ...
Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP)
SNP
In this short debate, I will give voice to many of my constituents who have raised concerns over the reporter’s decision on the Lomond Banks application. I d...
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
It is a pleasure to contribute to the debate. I go back to an interesting question that was posed in the previous debate. Yet again, it rests with Opposition...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
Does Martin Whitfield share my reflection that, in a debate in which people have questioned whether the planning system gives confidence to investors and, at...
Martin Whitfield
Lab
Perhaps the planning system is for the Scottish Government rather than for any of the parties that Daniel Johnson mentioned. I will comment on section 46(1)...
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
Before I call David Torrance, I note that we still have a little time in hand. 16:39
David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the opportunity to contribute to today’s debate on planning and to respond to the motion on the Lomond Banks development at Balloch. The proposal f...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the winding-up speeches. 16:43