A developer’s efforts to overturn a council decision to reject plans for a restaurant in a former Dennistoun bank have failed.
Sava Estates launched an appeal after Glasgow’s planners refused permission to redevelop the old TSB on Duke Street.
It argued the proposal would ensure a permanent use for a vacant unit and maintain Duke Street as a “desirable place to visit”.
However, councillors on the city’s planning local review committee have upheld the decision.
Reasons for the refusal include too many food/entertainment venues in the area and the impact of cooking fumes on neighbouring properties.
Concerns were also raised about the size of the takeaway operation in the proposed restaurant.
A council officer said the proposal was for a composite use, where the restaurant and takeaway would be “roughly equal to each other”.
She added: “They’ve said in their review statement that the takeaway use would be ancillary, but the problem we have is the application is for a composite use.”
Cllr Jane Morgan said: “I am sympathetic to a change of use to a restaurant with some takeaway attached.
“My concern here is that we would be granting permission to composite use, which would have a very substantial element of takeaway.
“They say in the appeal statement that it would be ancillary but we would be granting permission for something much more substantial than that. Personally I don’t feel I could agree to composite use in this location.”
And Cllr Eva Bolander added: “This is a town centre and we are trying to keep our town centres as vibrant and active.
“I would have less worries in respect of having a restaurant use for this premises and would have approved that, but I think with the composite use that has been applied for, this could take up more than 50% of the premises as it is now, I am inclined to refuse.”
The reasons for refusal included the redevelopment would result in more than 20% of units in the block being in use for food, drink and entertainment, which would increase noise, activity and cooking fumes.
Planners also ruled the proposed takeaway would be within a residential building, and would “unacceptably impact” on neighbours.
The applicant’s appeal claimed the restaurant/takeaway would ensure a balance between retail and non-retail venues and would bring an empty property back into use.
They argued that the property had been vacant since February 2021, and the only interest had been for a betting office, which had seen “significant local objection”.
The appeal added: “The addition of a high quality independent restaurant operator at this location will undoubtedly contribute to the widespread regeneration of the area and make a tangible contribution to secure Duke Street as the next ‘Argyle Street’ of Glasgow – a thriving hub of independent cafes, bars and restaurants.”
