WHAT started as a night of chaos and confusion became one of euphoria for activists fighting against the Flamingo Land development.

Campaigners packed the public gallery at West Dunbartonshire Council’s offices in Dumbarton to hear if the council would back the plans, which are to be decided on by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Under the proposals, a 60 bed apartment hotel, brewery, water park and over 100 self-catering lodges would be built.

Despite roughly 30 people being admitted to the gallery, the Post could see at least 20 who were left waiting in the entrance way of the building.

Early in the meeting, a recess was called to consider whether the public should be accommodated.

However, Provost William Hendrie decided against the measure.

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Provost Hendrie told the Post after the meeting he had made the decision due to a past bad experience, where members of the public caused “a lot of disruption” when admitted to the chamber.

Community Party councillor Jim Bollan called the decision “a disgrace”.

During a briefing from planning officer Pamela Clifford, barred residents could be heard shouting in protest, and singing the folk song The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond, so loudly it could be heard in the chamber.

There followed impassioned representations from activist Alexander Perrie along with Rory McLeod and Sam Payton of Save Loch Lomond.

Tabling a motion on behalf of the SNP, council leader Jonathan McColl told colleagues “overdevelopment is a significant risk and we must not fall into the trap of grabbing something shiny without properly considering the true impact”.

Councillor Bollan and Labour group leader Martin Rooney also added amendments, which were quickly included by councillor McColl.

The motion was passed without any opposition.

So easy was the process, members of the public gallery yelled “you haven’t voted” and “what happened?” at councillors, until SNP member Ian Dickson told the waiting crowd “the motion is agreed”, to cheers of celebration.

A spokeswoman for the council confirmed an objection would now be submitted against the project to the planning authority.