AN appeal lodged over Glasgow City Council’s rejection of a plan to use new flats in Finnieston as serviced apartments has been dismissed.

In April, councillors on Glasgow’s planning applications committee refused Sonder Hospitality’s application involving 41 apartments at 3 to 7 Minerva Way, part of a much larger development. More than 120 objections had been received and city planners had recommended refusal.

Sonder Hospitality appealed but reporter Keith Bray appointed by the Scottish Government’s planning and environmental appeals has now backed the council’s decision.

His report states: “I consider that the appeal proposal would result in a mix of residential flats and short-stay accommodation within a single building sharing a means of access.

“In my view, that brings the proposal into direct conflict with the policy principle which has been established by the council, in its supplementary guidance, for the specific purpose of managing land use changes relating to short-stay accommodation.

“The existence of communal amenity ground, bin and cycle stores, and car parking demonstrate to me that the building, as a whole, is a single residential building, as opposed to a series of buildings.”

“Given that the applicant was already operating the proposed use without consent, until action was taken by the planning authority, we also have clear evidence that the proposal will be disruptive to residential amenity.”

Sonder was already operating at the site without consent, until action was taken by the planning authority.