Neighbours have repeatedly objected to Sajid Hussain’s applications for 48 Melville Street — alleging parties, anti-social behaviour and parking issues.
Glasgow planners rejected an initial retrospective bid to turn a house in multiple occupation (HMO) into short-term lets in late 2023. Councillors then threw out an appeal against that ruling in March last year.
But the owner returned with a proposal for an “aparthotel”, which was turned down by planners in October. Mr Hussain appealed again — and councillors on the city’s planning review committee narrowly voted in his favour today (Tuesday).
It will last for a temporary period of 18 months unless a further application is approved — allowing the council to “review the acceptability of the use”.
Previous bids had been rejected due to the “potential impact on the amenity” of the area. Planners also believed any economic benefits of the proposal would not “outweigh the loss of residential accommodation”.
Mr Hussain’s latest appeal said concerns over the management of the aparthotel had been addressed by reducing the number of apartments from eight to seven to allow a “permanently staffed” reception.
“The application property is NOT a ‘party house’ and is not available for bookings for ‘stag’ or ‘hen’ parties,” it added, before claiming a revised management plan would be “rigidly enforced” making it “unlikely there would be any adverse impact” on neighbours.
The owner said guests would be asked to leave if house rules aren’t followed and devices alerted management if noise “exceeds our limit”. A letting company will advertise, manage and maintain the apartments.
There were 36 objections to the initial application and nine to the aparthotel bid. Cllr Jon Molyneux, Greens, who represents Pollokshields, said residents had issues with “illegal waste dumping, misuse of communal bins, noise and parking pressures”.
He added the property had been “in use unlawfully as an ‘aparthotel’ over a period of more than two years” and there is a “need for family sized housing in east Pollokshields”.
One neighbour said there is “persistent noise”, rubbish left in the street and guests’ cars have blocked junctions and parked on pavements.
Another objector said there is a “considerable churn” of visitors, who “come and go frequently throughout the day and night”. They added the number of apartments “facilitates the gathering of groups”, leading to parties.
Councillors voted five to four in favour of the application. Cllr Ken Andrew, SNP, the committee chairman, had suggested it should be refused.
He said he was “not content with the management plan”, including a reference to a 24-hour phoneline. “Quite why they’d have a phoneline while they’ve got a 24-hour reception, I don’t understand that,” he added.
“This is a residential area and we have a number of concerns from neighbours about anti-social behaviour.”
Cllr Declan Blench, SNP, said the “original reasons for refusal were very sound”. However, Cllr Hanif Raja, Labour, put forward an amendment to approve the plan.
He was backed by Cllr Imran Alam, Labour, who believed the “contribution to the local economy would be quite good”. He suggested restaurants and shops on Albert Drive would benefit from the apartments.