FOLLOWING complaints from members of the public about the increasing use of Loch Lomond by seaplanes, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority has agreed a policy presuming against the use of seaplanes on the loch.

The decision was taken at its meeting in Crianlarich this week.

It followed discussion on the overall position regarding seaplane use on Loch Lomond and a draft policy to be implemented through the by-law proposed at the authority’s last meeting in March.

The original proposal had been for a by-law that would require prior consent of the park authority for the use of Loch Lomond by seaplanes, and that applications would be judged against the four statutory aims of the national park.

But recent events led the authority to take a much stronger line.

While the Air Navigation Order 2000 does not discriminate between land and water aerodromes in the need for a licence, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has not yet produced detailed guidance on licensing water-based aerodromes following recent consultations.

Legal advice to the national park authority suggests that regular use of the loch for landing and taking off would not only constitute the use of the loch as an aerodrome but may also be a material change of use requiring planning permission.

The park has been in discussion with one particular operator for some time and has been trying to get a clear description of its intentions.

Last week the operator submitted an application for a certificate of lawfulness to establish whether planning permission is required.

It plans to begin a service this month that would operate from a variety of places around the loch to suit their customers.

Park officers are now seeking an urgent meeting with the head of aerodrome licensing at the CAA.

Park staff have also been monitoring seaplane activity and have noted a sharp increase recently, with more than one craft regularly landing and taking off, and the authority has received complaints from the public about noise and disturbance, including landing at the mouth of the Endrick, part of the national nature reserve.

Convener of the national park Gillie Thomson commented, “In the light of recent developments, the members all agreed that we have to take this precautionary approach.

“Any potential operator will have to demonstrate that their activities will not have either immediate or long-term cumulative impacts on the special qualities of Loch Lomond.

“We can’t allow seaplane operators to land and take off wherever and whenever they please in such a sensitive area.

“Until now our officers have been writing policy in a vacuum, but we are now sending a strong message that this park authority has a view on how this particular loch should be used.

“It’s equally important to assert our status with the CAA. We are not trying to encroach on their area of responsibility but require advice from them and believe they must recognise that we have legitimate views on how the water bodies we are charged with caring for are used.”