Plans for apartments next to King Tut’s approved despite sound concerns

Glasgow City Council had originally turned down the plan for 14 serviced apartments at 266 St Vincent Street, following fears people staying there would hear gig music.

Planners believed there were not sufficient measures to drown out the sounds from King Tut’s and the proposal did not meet local development plan policy.

King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut owners DF Concerts and Events objected to the development voicing a number of concerns including how noise would be mitigated.

But applicant Lets Direct (Glasgow) appealed and won a fight to overturn the council’s original decision last week at a Planning Local Review Committee.

Agreeing to grant the application Bailie Glenn Elder, Independent, said: “My view is that King Tut’s will go on being King Tut’s and will continue to have music and be a venue. Everything comes down to the applicant being able to satisfy us and the council that they have done enough in order to mitigate the noise.”

The apartments would boast kitchenettes, showers and toilets with the ground floor providing a communal laundry and utility room.

Councillor Martin McElroy, Labour, said yes to the application but insisted stays at the apartments must be limited to 90 days as a condition.

He said: “I’m quite relaxed about some of the bigger concerns that DF Concerts have raised because of the nature of the type of property and what they are trying to achieve.”

Also approving the proposal Councillor Cecilia O’Lone, Labour, said: “I still have issues around the noise levels. It would be very difficult for the noise not to affect the houses above. They (the applicant) will be responsible for any mitigation that needs to be done to reduce the noise.”

Lets Direct (Glasgow) said the proposals for the four-storey property, which used to house offices, would complement surrounding building uses. The firm also said the plan would boost accommodation choice close to city attractions.

Planning officers decided to carry out further work on the exact conditions that applicants must comply with. They agreed to send finalised conditions to councillors for approval.