The leader of the Community Party plans to challenge a national park ruling that he can’t vote on controversial plans for a Flamingo Land development in Balloch because he’s previously expressed an opinion on it.
Drew MacEoghainn is standing for election to the national park authority board, with a public vote taking place next month.
MacEoghainn and the Community Party have been strongly opposed to controversial plans for Flamingo Land’s Lomond Banks development on the shores of Loch Lomond.
Initial plans were withdrawn in 2019 after being recommended for refusal by the national park, with revised proposals submitted early this year.
More than 60,000 submitted objections to the initial plans, which would see a 60-bed apart-hotel, 32-bed budget hotel, up to 127 self-catering lodges, a monorail, leisure pool, water park, spa, water sports hub, restaurants, cafe and craft brewery with a pub built at land between West Riverside and Woodbank House.
And Drew has said that he was left in disbelief after receiving a letter from Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority informing him that “members and prospective members must never express their intention to vote a particular way before a meeting”.
It goes on to list predetermination as statements made during election hustings or in campaign leaflets.
During his campaign for election as a councillor earlier this year Mr MacEoghainn publicly spoke out against Flamingo Land’s proposals, whilst his national park election leaflets say that he will stand against the Lomond Banks plans.
However, he said after seeking advice, he will challenge the ruling if elected to the board.
Drew said: “I was laughing when I saw the letter. And I’m continuing to find it laughable.
“The first thing I did was ask for their policy and procedure so I could be more informed and then we could have a discussion about it.
“They came back and said they didn’t actually have a policy and procedure, but they sent me three things; a code of conduct for the board of the national park.
“I’m not on the board yet, so that falls straight away.
“They sent me a link to the Scottish Government’s code of conduct for a board member. But I’m not a board member. So that falls straight away as well.
“Thirdly, was an example from the Highlands of a clear conflict of interest in the building of a new Tesco and Asda store. Prior to Tesco having their plans refused, two board members had a meeting where they encouraged people to write in complaints about Tesco.
“I’ve never discussed the actual planning, as in the environmental impact. What I have said, and I have no issue reiterating it, is that this falls prior to planning because the A82 is not fit for purpose.”
And Drew has questioned whether other board members, including Lomond councillor Hazel Sorrell, will be able to have their say, with the issue a hot topic locally.
He continued: “We all bring baggage whatever we do. People will have vested interests if they have business concerns. I have none of that.
“Councillor Hazel Sorrell has already been on Facebook saying she’s opposed to Flamingo Land, so are they trying to tell me she won’t get a vote too.
“It bars anybody with a point-of-view on Flamingo Land or Lomond Banks.
“My leaflets said no to Flamingo Land. On a technicality, I’m not saying no to Lomond Banks, if we really want to get into that.
“But are we really saying that if the people of Balloch elect me, then I’ve to have no say on Flamingo Land?
“Ultimately these things can sometimes only be tested in a court of law. And that’s what I’ll do if I get elected.”
Pete Wightman, director of corporate services at Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “Joining the national park authority’s board is a great opportunity for people to play a part in shaping the future of the national park, helping make decisions on matters ranging from climate change to visitor management to planning.
“All decisions taken by the national park authority must be open, impartial, and based on the exercise of sound judgement.
“As such, we have a Code of Conduct in place for board members, and board members are regularly asked to identify known or potential conflicts of interest while exercising their role on the board. The code of conduct requires our members to be objective.
“From time to time we receive high-profile planning applications, including some that are currently under consideration.
“It is vital that decisions on these are taken based on a thorough assessment of the application itself and in consideration of the recommendations from planning officers.
“Given that voters may express their views on these applications to candidates, we took the opportunity to share advice with all prospective board members regarding conduct around high profile planning applications.
“This includes advising candidates on how to ensure they do not inadvertently prejudice themselves from taking part in future national park authority decisions.
“We have expressed no specific view on the situation of the candidate who has raised concerns about our advice.”
