The latest plans to develop the shores of Loch Lomond were made known to the wider public at the weekend (see here – includes photomontage). Tom Hunter wants to develop a £10m “global leadership centre”, named after him, at Ross Priory on the South West corner of Loch Lomond. Ross Priory is run as a conference centre by Strathclyde University (see here). The gothic building is set well back from the shore. Mr Hunter and Strathclyde University want to build a 10,000 square foot, modern building, with plate glass windows onto the Loch, and 10 pods all very close to the water’s edge.
It appears that the Hunter Foundation proposal is right next to the Portnellan, Ross Priory, Claddochside Site of Special Scientific Interest, designated because of its value to earth science. That shoreline has been unmodified by humans and reveals 10,000 years of earth history since the Loch Lomond glacial re-advance (including when Loch Lomond was invaded by the sea for a time). The plans revealed so far indicated that Tom Hunter wants to further artificialise the shoreline next door (see photo in Herald article above).
That Strathclyde University could contemplate backing a development adjacent to something so important to science tells you something about how the people who run our universities have abandoned values for business. Jim McDonald, Principal of the University, was quoted as claiming it is a “socially progressive institution and we are always looking at new and innovative ways to drive societal change and boost economic growth”. There appears to be little place for the natural environment in his vision. As for the Climate Emergency, there are no public transport links to Ross Priory and the plans include provision for yet more parking places.
That the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority could contemplate development in the south west corner of Loch Lomond, which is at present unspoilt and free of development, should come as no surprise. They have, I understand, been in secret negotiations with the Hunter Foundation for the last 18 months. Neither Strathclyde Regional Council nor West Dunbartonshire Council, when they were responsible for planning matters here, would ever have allowed a proposal such as this to get so far. It would have been ruled out at the start. Perhaps though, the LLTNPA will reject the application as they did with Ward’s Estate last year (see here)? If that is the intention, however, why go through with the planning rigmarole?
The problem is that the LLTNPA are prepared to consider developments ANYWHERE. They have no effective plan for Loch Lomond. Developers know this and, as a result, there is a rush to develop the bonnie banks from Flamingo Land to Cameron House to Moulsdale Properties at Tarbet. Parkswatch has revealed there are connections between all these developers. In 2013 Tom Hunter secretly helped rescue Optical Express, Moulsdale’s company (see here). This suggests there are close links between Tom Hunter and David Moulsdale. Unfortunately we are unlikely to ever know what information, if any, might have been shared about “development opportunities” on the loch. Whatever the case, any forthcoming Planning Application should not be seen as a one-off but part of a much wider development grab on the shores of Loch Lomond and Loch Long (see here for latest on Portincaple).
Tom Hunter is quoted in the Herald as saying the proposed Leadership Centre “will provide a place where the future of Scotland will be discussed, debated and ultimately decided.” If Tom Hunter’s vision for the future places so little value on the natural environment and treats this it like any other commodity, it doesn’t seem worth having. As a sign of good intent, it would be much better if Hunter Foundation Leadership Centre was built on one of the many derelict bits of land in the West of Scotland and somewhere accessible to all. That might even bring economic benefits to somewhere that needs it.
If this goes ahead soon there will be no open green spaces left on the banks of Loch Lomond and the “Bonnie Banks” will be no more. Why does no-one (least of all the LLTNPA) appear to consider what these large ultra-modern developments look like from the Loch itself?? Ross Priory is already run as a Conference Centre, so why is another building required for what would seem to be for much the same purpose. A building resembling the Wedding Venue, recently awarded planning permission by LLTNPA, begs the question ‘Is that what this venue at Ross Priory will also be used for?’ The road leading from the A811 at Gartocharn to Ross Priory is single track with passing places. Ross Priory itself currently has very little vehicle parking. There would require to be considerable additional parking for this venue which would result in even less green space. Sir Tom Hunter’s quote that the proposed Leadership Centre “will provide a place where the future of Scotland will be discussed, debated and ultimately decided.” Is that not the remit of these very expensive MSP’s we elect and who inhabit the wildly expensive property known as the Scottish Parliament??
It appears that if you have mega-bucks to spend you can ride roughshod over local opinion and destroy a small farming enclave that has remained very rural over time .We were protected by green belt but the Park Authority only appears to favour tourism developments:, the environment, the farmers who moulded the landscape,over generations , the real protectors of our fauna and flora,all are rejected in favour of the quick buck. Where are the Greens? Who protects our unspoilt rural idyll? Cop 26 conferance is to be held in Glasgow next spring, let them know Sir Tom plans to pump all effluent UPHILL to use up 20% of Gartocharn village sewage station capacity probably all the available capacity! That stymies any aspirations of the local yeomanry to improve their housing stock! Good enough for the Plebs? the rich, ,powerful and well connected have the upper hand. It was repeated at least 5 times it would cost him£ 750,000 per year to do this WOW . WHAT A WASTE OF ENERGY!!! and money,but no matter how much it does not make it right ; it adds to the entropy in the system; it tips the balance for destruction. . We did not ask for a leadership centre , there are plenty of large old properties he could bring back to life,repurpose them for next century and leave the greenfield site alone.-protect the built heritage of the area for the future. If it goes ahead a unique ecosystem will be destroyed. was not our National Park meant to protect that? Is the Park planning appointed quango fit for purpose? I think not -it says it consulted with locals but all were unaware of the real consequences- lying by omission!- one could say.Bulldozing through with help in high places? Do we want a bull in our china shop?
If we never develop anything in Scotland, it will remain a ‘huntin’, fishin’ &shootin’ Disney theme park for Americans and the English rich.
I don’t see any reason why this quiet development, which has no activities which will impact the local environment, should not proceed. I agree completely that special restraints should be put on the building contractors while they are constructing the centre, to minimise harm to the area, and that there be a budget for restoring any land that is marred from construction work, for example from tyre tracks.
Considering the peaceful and beautiful surroundings, it is easy to imagine this becoming a venue for high-level international peace talks as well as being a place where Scotland’s various professions can take the time to consider the future and grow their competence.
[In spite of my last name, I am not related to Sir Tom as far as I know.]
Lilly, I am not against development – the National Park desperately needs social and affordable housing so more people can live within it and you are right that is often prevented by landed estates – but this corner of Loch Lomond is not a huntin, fishin and shootin disney theme park but a nature reserve. There are a large number of other developments either in progress or planned around Loch Lomond which makes this corner even more important. This development could go anywhere, it doesn’t need to be here. Nick
Have to agree. Plan and build these venues where they are more accessable and where there is the need for more jobs! To waste an untouched piece of land , disturb wildlife as well as natural vegetation, all for the benefit of a handful of people is ludicrous. As always money talks!! What’s the chances it will go ahead? no matter what any of us normal level headed plebs say
I used to live very close to the site of the proposed development – in a modest, temporary dwelling, I hasten to add, not a luxury pad – and used to love roaming along this refreshingly untouched shoreline. I agree with Nick: there is absolutely no need to put such a building in a location supposedly ringfenced for the benefit of nature and science. Public transport links are virtually non-existent. Do not believe claims that the environs will be “restored” after construction. This development will create a semi-urban landscape to link up with all those that have already been permitted along the shores of Loch Lomond. Viewed from a boat on the loch those banks are increasingly anything but bonny.
This proposal is tantamount to vandalism of the worst kind under the pretext of providing benefits for Scotland. This development will lead to more road traffic , pollution, noise and damage to an extremely important area of natural beauty. I cannot think of a more obscene place to build this Leadership Centre particularly given the proposal is to locate it on a prominent shore of Loch Lomond. If it is so badly needed why is it not being built on Strathclyde University campus since that would limit the need for travel and prevent the desecration of Loch Lomond. Given the circumstances we find ourselves in with Covid 19 it would seem that student numbers are likely to fall considerably next year particularly with the curbs on foreign travel. Some universities are saying they are going to have an over capacity of buildings as a result of that. It would therefore seem to make greater sense to redirect funding to the redevelopment of an area of central Glasgow.
This development must be stopped!
Hi Douglas, thanks for this, I have been intending to post on this for last two weeks and hope to do so early next week. Nick
If the Tom Hunter Foundation want to build a leadership centre why doesn’t the LLTNP encourage them to redevelop the old hotel complex that lies in ruin in Old Luss Road in Balloch. This would be a chance to improve a derelict, grade 2 listed site, it’s near a main road and other transport links and would have less environmental impact because it would avoid environmentally sensitive areas. Of course that would mean losing the exclusivity agreement with Flamingo land but that will, I’m sure, be a more acceptable alternative to any local development in the Balloch area and would take pressure off Gartocharn. We must not keep considering proposals that affect the natural environment on Loch Lomond.