A THEME park operator has said a £30m leisure resort at Loch Lomond will be abandoned if the majority in Scotland oppose the move.

The operator of Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire which plans to develop a 20-hectare site at West Riverside in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park has said judging the proposals is premature, as an online petition claims to have attracted over 20,000 signatures.

The developer, which operates one of the UK's most successful holiday resorts, hopes to introduce lodges, boutique hotel, hostel and glamping pods to the site, alongside a range of family attractions and restaurants.

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Gordon Gibb, Flamingo Land chief executive, reportedly said the firm "totally understands some of the local concerns about our proposed leisure resort in Balloch and we are committed to engaging with all parties involved to fully explain our ideas".

He said: "We would like to point out that the planning process has not even commenced yet and our proposals are concentrated on residential holidays and not creating a theme park as some publications have suggested.

"Our bid was successful due to the sensitive way in which we have considered the site in question and we look forward to continuing to cooperate with the consultation group."

He questioned the petition and said "it's also worth making the point that it is very easy to orchestrate any campaign by manipulating social media".

He said: "To be frank, if our plans are not welcomed by most of the people in Scotland then we will not proceed further but I do not trust the results of the petition and we have not yet been given the chance to fully explain our plans."

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The Scottish-owned company hopes to build on the existing success of Loch Lomond Shores which has seen visitor levels steadily increase over the last five years to 1.25 million visitors annually.

Scottish Enterprise last month named the firm as the preferred bidder after it submitted plans for the family leisure resort, The Iconic Leisure Resort Loch Lomond.

The online petition was created by George Mcmillan and reports 20,752 out of a target of 25,000 signatures.

He posted: "Loch Lomond and the Trossachs are a National Park.

"They are not a commercially themed area. It is a place of natural beauty of which would be forever reduced if developments like this one get the go ahead.

"We must stand up to this as a strong voice against the commercialisation of a national gem for future generations.

"This will in turn keep them free from these kind of planning applications for now and into the future.

"If we set a strong precedent the planning officials will know we wish to preserve our National Parks."

A Scottish Enterprise spokesperson said: “The development at West Riverside in Balloch holds huge economic potential not only through job creation but also in securing the National Park as a key tourism destination.

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"Plans are at a very early stage involving significant consultation between the local community and the National Park Authority.

"It is important to note there are no plans for a theme park and any proposed development would be in keeping with the National Park and its natural beauty.

"As the masterplanning phase commences further consultation and community engagement will be a key part of this process.”