Developers planning to revamp Balloch’s historic Woodbank House have hit out at flytippers treating it as a “rubbish heap”.
Flamingo Land chief Jim Paterson, who is development lead for the Lomond Banks project, says the grounds have been targeted by fly-tippers who have dumped appliances and mattresses there.
He said hazardous materials were also ditched and required to be professionally removed.
He told the Lennox Herald a clean-up has since been carried out with new gates installed at the front in a bid to prevent drivers accessing the site to ditch rubbish.
This week, Flamingo Land revealed it will submit a planning permission in principle application to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park at the end of April for a £40million tourist resort.
The West Riverside plans take in Woodbank House, with early proposals including a monorail, an indoor water park, lodges, craft brewery and visitor centre, and an aparthotel.
Mr Paterson said: “Woodbank House has been an iconic part of Balloch’s rich history and landscape for hundreds of years.
“It was a beautiful, listed building that tells an insightful story of the area’s past.
“Over the years it has lain derelict and left to decay and is now in quite a sad state of repair.
“Flamingo Land purchased Woodbank House and its grounds as part of our vision for the area with the idea of breathing new life into the estate and restoring some of its charm and grandeur.
“Whilst we continue through the planning process, however, it is our wish to prevent further deterioration whilst protecting the public from the dangers of the instability of the ruined building.
“We have always maintained our position that the area around Woodbank House must remain open for public access during the planning process – allowing dog walkers, ramblers and visitors to the site continued enjoyment of the natural beauty of the surrounds.
“Much to our dismay however, Woodbank House seems to have been targeted by a series of fly-tippers leaving their unwanted litter strewn around the grounds causing more danger for the public, including discarded kitchen appliances, old office furniture, mattresses, etc. The list goes on. Some of which contain hazardous material which required to be professionally removed.”
He added that the problem was not isolated to the grounds of Woodbank House, with other areas across Loch Lomond reporting litter left behind.
He went on: “We have undertaken a clean-up of the grounds removing the offending rubbish and have installed new gates to the front, to prevent vehicles dropping off anything further, leaving enough room for cars to turn whilst also retaining a space for people to gain access on foot.
“Our job as custodians of the historic building is to protect it from further decay and ensure people stay safe as they explore the area.
“However, Woodbank deserves more respect than to be treated as a rubbish heap, which is why we have taken these steps to prevent any further damage.”
Flamingo Land has held two public consultations on its proposals, which they say involve some “substantial changes” since withdrawing original plans in 2019, after they attracted more than 50,000 objections.
