A DEVELOPER’S bid to overturn refusal of permission for apartments and commercial units at a former Glasgow police station site has failed.

Westpoint Homes lodged an appeal over Glasgow City Council’s rejection of their application to demolish the redundant Cranstonhill police office and build a six-storey block with 78 flats and six retail and food and drink outlets.

The site is at a prominent location on Argyle Street at St Vincent Street and Finnieston Street, on the boundary of Anderston and Finnieston.

Philip Barton, reporter appointed by the Scottish Government’s planning and environmental appeals division, has now backed the council’s decision.

His decision report states: “I have found that the proposal would cause harm to the living conditions of occupants of residential flats in Minerva Court and Argyle Street by reason of unacceptable loss of daylight and because of uncertainty in relation to the long-term effectiveness of provisions to protect the privacy of existing and future occupants.

“I have also found that it would fail to provide sufficient on-site amenity space and would be likely to increase the risk of vehicle conflict, which would be harmfully prejudicial to road safety. In addition, it would cause an unacceptable degree of harm to the character and appearance of the area.”

The report continues: “I have also taken into consideration the other public benefits of the proposal that the appellants have referred to. These comprise, in particular, the positive contribution that it would make to the urban fabric of the area through its siting, overall design, architectural detailing and palette of materials.

“However, I find the totality of these benefits insufficient to outweigh the totality of the harms that the proposal would cause in relation to living conditions; road safety; the provision of amenity space, and the character and appearance of the area.”