Campaigners have welcomed the Scottish Government's move to intervene in Flamingo Land's controversial plans for a £43.5million resort on the banks of Loch Lomond. The Yorkshire-based amusement park company, through its subsidiary Lomond Banks, had proposed to erect two hotels, more than 100 holiday lodges, a waterpark and monorail at Balloch. After facing substantial pushback from the local community and environmental agencies such as SEPA, the Woodland Trust and the National Trust for Scotland, the initial plan was withdrawn in 2019. Lomond Banks' appeal was later upheld by a Scottish Government reporter despite the subsequent revised plans being unanimously rejected by the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park authority, subjecting the developer to 49 conditions and requiring a pact with the authority before breaking ground. Despite MSP pressure, Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee previously held back from intervening in the situation, reports the Daily Record. However, on Tuesday (June 10) evening, McKee confirmed in an announcement that the government would be recalling the plans, stating: "I have decided to recall the Lomond Banks appeal as the proposed development raises issues of national significance in view of its potential impact on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park," adding, "This means that the appeal should be determined at a national level." Sign up to our daily Glasgow Live newsletter here to receive news and features direct to your inbox Mr McKee had previously mentioned that "technical planning issues" were involved in the application, stating it was right for "objective planning judgment" to be used, hence the Government would not intervene. However, following his statement, the Scottish Greens led a campaign that gained the support of over 50,000 people who petitioned him to reconsider. The Loch Lomond South Community Development Trust (LLSCDT) has welcomed the latest decision, actively working to build a "positive, community-led alternative vision for the area - one that supports sustainable tourism, protects theenvironment, and truly benefits the people who live, work, and visit Loch Lomond". Lynne Somerville, LLSCDT chairwoman, said: "The people who live here must have a real say in the future of this place-not as an afterthought, but as equal partners. "The overwhelming response from the community shows not only opposition to inappropriate development, but also a clear appetite for something better-something rooted in fairness, sustainability, and local benefit. "Under the 2015 Community Empowerment Act, communities like ours are legally entitled to be heard and treated with respect in decisions that affect our land and future. It's time that legislation was meaningfully upheld." Just before Scottish Labour was set to spur a debate calling for Government action, with Dumbarton MSP and deputy party leader Jackie Baillie voicing concerns of an anticipated defeat for the SNP. "The SNP face a motion tomorrow from Scottish Labour demanding that the application is recalled," she remarked. "Thanks to cross party support for our motion, the SNP has U-turned before it was defeated in the chamber." Jackie Baillie later noted: "This is a welcome U-turn by the SNP, though it shouldn't have taken the fear of a defeat in Parliament to force them to reach this decision. "The SNP has ignored concerns time and time again – from politicians across the chamber and from local campaigners. "It is not right that a single reporter was allowed to overrule the National Park Authority's unanimous decision to reject the bid of the Flamingo Land resort. "This decision requires proper democratic oversight and I'm pleased ministers have finally accepted our calls and agreed to step in." Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer lauded the intervention, describing it as the "right move". "The evidence of the damage it would do to one of Scotland's most iconic locations is overwhelming," he continued. "Once ministers consider the flood risk, loss of ancient woodland, hundreds of additional cars which would be brought onto notoriously congested roads and the litany of other devastating impacts it would have, I am sure they will reject the mega-resort application and finally end this decade-long saga. "People across Scotland expect their Government to protect our natural heritage. "Given previous mistakes, including the approval of Donald Trump's golf course despite local objections and serious environmental concerns, this is an opportunity for ministers to show that they have learned and will now put people and planet ahead of greedy developers." Join Glasgow Live's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.