Planners turned down Arfield’s bid to convert a former bookmakers on Copland Road over the potential impact on neighbours and bin storage concerns.
But an appeal launched on behalf of the footballer claimed the bar would act as a “mini fan zone” on match days at Ibrox, taking up to 90 fans “into a well-managed area”.
Councillors were split on whether to grant permission, with four votes each way. The scheme was then rejected on the casting vote of planning review committee chairman, Cllr Ken Andrew, SNP.
(Image: Picture of pub)
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Cllr Andrew had wanted to continue consideration of the appeal due to a lack of “clarity” on a “number of issues”, but his suggestion was not supported.
He said a noise impact assessment provided with the application had been “declared by our own officers as inadequate”. More detail was needed on waste storage, he added.
According to a council report, the applicants had asked for a site inspection and hearing to be held. The appeal on behalf of Arfield, who now plays in England for Bolton Wanderers, said his plan would “upgrade and repair” a property that has been empty for over two years.
Opening hours could be limited to Rangers match days and special ticketed events, the appeal claimed. It added the bar would create jobs in the area and waste would be handled within the property, with a private firm carrying out regular uplifts.
Two neighbours with concerns about the impact on residents objected to the initial application. One said over 50,000 attend Ibrox Stadium which “already causes a lot of disruption and anti-social behaviour due to alcohol consumption”.
Cllr Imran Alam, Labour, said the pub would be a “major boost” for the local economy. “The building has been lying empty for a couple of years now,” he added.
“We know what happens when buildings stay vacant for a long time, they become rundown and impossible to renovate and improve.”
Cllr Thomas Kerr, Conservative, said: “I think the economic benefits outweigh any of the possible concerns that have been raised by officers.”
He said the plan would support local jobs and provide an “economic boost” for the area, offering a “huge opportunity for the city”.
Officials said environmental health staff had found the noise assessment to be “quite inadequate”.
One explained planning policy required the applicants behind a “noise generating development” to “demonstrate that use can operate without detrimentally affecting neighbouring uses, particularly residential”.
Cllr Eva Bolander, SNP, proposed rejecting the application for several reasons, including a lack of parking and cycle racks and not having an “appropriate noise assessment”.
She said: “I think the residents have the right to continue to live in their houses in peace.”
This was the second application to turn the premises into a pub after Arfield’s first proposal was refused in August last year.
