AN appeal has been lodged after planners refused to let an empty Glasgow city centre shop be turned into a restaurant.

The change-of-use application was made for former florist premises at 80 West Nile Street, which had been lined up for the first Dr Noodles outlet in the city.

Council officials rejected the plan because a full height flue to disperse cooking smells could not be provided. They said this would give rise to “the potential for odour nuisance” affecting the properties immediately above.

A bid to overturn the decision is now being made. Councillors on Glasgow’s planning local review committee will have the final say.

A report by planners stated that, despite Dr Noodles being able to use an alternative method to deal with extraction of odours because they do not use oil for cooking, permission could still not be granted.

The report explained: “There would be nothing to prevent different cooking methods being undertaken within the premises at a later date, or another operator taking over and cooking different foods.”

An appeal statement by planning consultants Iceni argues: “There are no residential properties located above the unit so the proposal would have no adverse impact on residential amenity. The proposed ventilation method would ensure there are no adverse amenity impacts upon the offices located above the unit.

“There is inadequate space for a full height flue to be erected at the site. If planning policy is to be implemented in this way, no restaurant could operate from this unit, despite there being several restaurant operations and cafes which do not require a flue but can operate with restricted cooking methods and using alternative ventilation methods.”