COUNCILLORS have given permission for 132 apartments plus retail space at a high-profile corner site in Finnieston.

Glasgow’s planning application’s committee today approved Ambassador Living’s application to transform the corner of Finnieston Street and Minerva Street, following a visit to the site.

Nearly 300 public objections had been received but planners had backed the proposal.

The development will be made up of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. There will be six commercial units on the ground floor. Public realm improvements are also included.

Planning officials were in favour of the application. Their report stated: “The proposed building is of a high quality design and uses natural sandstone as its principal elevation material to maintain the character of the St Vincent Crescent Conservation Area. The scheme respects the established building lines of the street (setting back to retain the existing trees).

“The proposed scheme, coupled with the G3 Abode development completed in 2011, combine to form a contemporary curved stone façade on the south side of Minerva Street that is scaled to be respectful of the listed buildings [opposite] whilst prominent enough at the corner to celebrate the node and strengthen the southern side of this key junction.”

The building will be on the car park that currently serves two large retail units — Lidl and the former PC World outlet, which is vacant.

The empty unit will be knocked down and a car park for Lidl created on that land.

The Lidl building will be refurbished and provided with new frontage, towards Finnieston Street.

Plans for more than 400 homes on an adjacent site were submitted to planners this month.