Councillors urged to support plan to turn vacant Queen’s park toilet block into cafe

Planning chiefs are backing a proposal to convert a vacant toilet block in Queen’s Park into a cafe.

The scheme, which has previously been rejected, will go before the planning panel and councillors are being urged to give it their support.

A number of people have opposed the plans, including Shawlands and Strathbungo Community Council.

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But the applicant, Behzad Karimi, has addressed most of the reasons for refusal provided by the council after the first application.

Opening hours would be between 7am and 8pm and the cafe would have an internal seating area, catering for 12 people.

The existing public toilets in the northern half of the building would remain unchanged.

 “The development proposal would comprehensively re-clad the existing toilet block and bring back into active use the southern half of the building,” a report to planners states.

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“Subject to the proposed protective conditions, the proposed use would not impact on the residential amenity of the nearest properties and the proposal would enhance the character and appearance of the street scene and the wider Queen’s Park.

“On the basis of the foregoing, it is recommended that the application for planning permission be granted subject to the attached safeguarding conditions.”

The previous plan to transform the public toilets at 1001 Pollokshaws Road was rejected by councillors in September.

Reasons for the refusal included not protecting Shawlands town centre, inadequate waste and recycling storage, no method for dispersing cooking fumes and roller shutters which would “detract from the appearance of the wider street scene”.

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A petition, with 23 signatures, and more than 20 letters of objection were submitted by Shawlands and Strathbungo Community Council and members of the public.

Concerns raised included parking, anti-social behaviour, litter and the impact on the amenity of nearby residents.

However, the report shows reasons for rejection and public concerns have been addressed in the new application.