Appeal submitted over lack of decision on Glasgow flats application

Eight new apartments were proposed for the site, an area of trees on Murano Street at Firhill Road, formerly occupied by an electricity sub-station.

The four-storey building would have contained seven two-bedroom flats and one unit with one bedroom.

The developer is exercising its right to get the application heard by councillors on an appeal panel because the proposal hasn’t been determined within the time period expected.

Responding to concerns raised by planners, the applicant’s agent argues: “With regards to the shape, size and context of the proposed development, it is felt that the proposed building fits well with the context on this previously developed site.

“It maximises the housing provision on a brownfield site which has always been a strong desire of the Scottish Planning Policy.

“With regards to parking, it is hoped that the council might be supportive of a move away from car-based housing and accepting of the need to restrict parking provision within new developments, otherwise we will never move away from our reliance on the private car for transport; not just in the city centre but also in dense outlying areas, with good access to local facilities and public transport, such as this one.

“It would have been possible to sacrifice the ground floor accommodation for parking, with electric car charging points, but this did not feel like the best way forward.”

The response concludes: “The canal’s value as a wildlife corridor will not be adversely affected. This is a previously developed site which has become overgrown. A corridor of green space will still be retained. The site does not extend all the way to the canal edge.”

A previous application to build a 10-bedroom three-storey student accommodation block at the triangular site was previously refused.