Objections to plans for bistro in west end lane
PLANS for a restaurant in an upmarket west end lane have been branded “ridiculous.”
An application has been lodged to convert garages into a new eaterie on the corner of Devonshire Street and Montague Lane, close to celebrity haunt Hotel du Vin.
There are also additional plans to build an extension on to the building which has lain derelict for 10 years.
Glasgow City Council has received 19 letters of objection with residents against the proposed changes to the Grade B listed building known as Mews Cottage.
Local councillor Martin McElroy said the plans, entered by Park Court-based Property and Development Services on behalf of applicant Des La Marquand, from Milngavie, were “ridiculous”.
He said: “There are strong feelings against these plans.
“The proposal is pretty ridiculous.”
Local SNP MSP Sandra White lodged an objection following residents’ concerns and said the site was not designed with a business in mind.
She added: “A bistro operating from this property would evidently create a major pressure on this lane.”
Residents have already met at a public meeting to register their concerns.
Locals say the lane involved is too narrow and they are concerned about kitchen fumes and noise.
Plans lodged with city planners involve turning a vacant car repair site into a restaurant with outdoor seating and external alterations.
The applicant’s design statement in support of their proposal said: “The vacant property represents an opportunity to animate this part of the lane and to introduce a new dining experience.”
It goes on to say that the property, which is behind the Hotel Du Vin, where celebs including George Clooney and Meryl Streep have stayed, does not lend itself to residential development, so it would be “desirable” if the building was converted in to something that would stop further disrepair caused by dereliction.
If successful the building would see the facade of the building changed and a single-storey extension to the rear matching the look of the building.
However, several letters from residents as well as councillors have pointed out concerns about the supposed obstruction the extension would cause.
A letter from the Dowanhill, Hyndland and Kelvinside Community Council listed several points against the proposal.
These included the proposed changes would spoil the character of the Victorian-era building and the odours from the kitchen would affect nearby residents. They also said there would be a lot of noise made by customers and empty bottles being binned.
Another letter from local councillor Ken Andrew said: “I would point out that the front elevation of the proposed bistro will be a mere three metres from the gable end of a block of converted town houses.
“It will simply be impossible to maintain the property owners amenity and privacy given this level of adjacency.”