Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority has published the officer report and recommendation for the major planning in principle application in Balloch.

The report from the National Park Authority’s director of place follows a detailed assessment and consideration against key documents, policies and statutory requirements.

It takes account of consultation responses from local and national public bodies, other statutory consultees, and representations from members of the public that identify relevant planning considerations.

The report is a recommendation only – the decision on whether to approve or refuse the application for a proposed development at West Riverside and Woodbank House in Balloch will be taken by the National Park Authority Board on Monday 16th September.

The report is comprehensive in addressing all matters relating to the major planning application and as a result runs to more than 150 pages.

It concludes that the proposal would result in a significant amount of development that would be in an area of flood risk where no policy exceptions support it.

It would also result in the removal and clearance of trees and woodland without appropriate compensatory planting and would not deliver the required significant biodiversity enhancements that would support wider outcomes to tackle the nature and climate crises as outlined in National Planning Framework 4 and the National Park Partnership Plan.

Following a detailed assessment, the scale of the proposal overall is considered to be in conflict with the site’s capacity for development.

The report states that the application does not comply with the Local Development Plan for the National Park, National Planning Framework 4 or the National Park Partnership Plan. It presents a conflict between the first National Park aim (‘to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area’) and the fourth National Park aim (‘to promote the sustainable economic and social development of the area’s communities’), meaning the National Park Authority must give greater weight to the first aim (this is known as ‘the Sandford Principle’).

The report will be considered by the National Park Authority Board when they meet to determine the planning application on Monday 16th September.

Given the significant public interest in the application, the National Park Authority has opted to hold the Hearing and Board Meeting at Lomond Parish Church in Balloch to ensure that as many observers as possible are able to attend while the decision-making process remains in the local community.

A site visit will take place in the morning of Monday 16th September to allow board members to gain information relating to the land or buildings relative to the proposed development, allowing them to gain a greater understanding of the site and its surroundings.

Timings for the site visit and hearing have now been published on the National Park Authority website.