GLASGOW planners have rejected a proposal to turn empty retail premises into a licensed cafe.
The application involved a former convenience store at 1 Kirklee Road, at Great Western Road, in the city’s West End.
A planning statement submitted to the city council stated the unit had been vacant since March and had been actively marketed, with no interest shown for retail use.
It continued: “This change-of-use application seeks to bring a vacant unit back into economic use to serve the local community and create local employment opportunities.
“The concept for this premises is to create a high-end casual dining restaurant/deli to primarily serve the local residential area.
“The proposed restaurant/deli will create a local facility for healthy breakfasts, lunches and light evening meals. Minimal cooking and no frying will be undertaken.
“The proposal also incorporates a deli, which will retain a retail element. The deli will sell a range of specialist teas/coffees, preserves, wine, artisan breads, cheese and meats. The deli element will also offer a selection of salads and pies for take-out.”
In response to comments from local residents, the applicant had reduced proposed opening hours to 8am to 10pm, Sunday to Thursday and 8am to 11pm, Friday to Saturday.
Proposed external seating area at Kirklee Road had also been removed, with outdoor seating restricted to the terrace area at Great Western Road.
However planning officials refused permission, giving several reasons for their decision.
They said approval would result in loss of shop premises that have provided a valuable local facility and would be contrary to city planning policy as there is no alternative provision within 400 metres.
No adequate marketing information had been submitted to demonstrate a lack of demand for shop use.
Officers added that the proposed method of treatment and dispersal of cooking fumes, by way of a low-level ventilation extract, would “potentially have an adverse impact on residential amenity”.
Finally, the outdoor seating would have been directly overlooked by residential properties resulting in a detrimental effect on amenity.
