AN application for flats beside the Forth and Clyde Canal near Firhill has been refused.

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

Councillors on Glasgow City Council’s planning applications committee were unanimously opposed, agreeing with officials, who had recommended refusal on the grounds that it amounted to overdevelopment of a constrained site.

Planners had also stated in their report: “The site is bounded to the south by the Forth and Clyde Canal, which is a city-wide Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and as such an important wildlife habitat corridor.

“The proposed development in close proximity to the canal embankment would lead to a net loss in biodiversity habitat, while no suitable mitigation has been identified. The proposed development would also result in the loss of existing healthy and structurally sound trees on site, while no suitable mitigation has been identified.”