A ‘loaded fries’ takeaway  got the go-ahead to open in a former fishmongers after winning a planning battle with Glasgow City Council.

The empty fish shop on Shettleston Road can now be transformed into the chip topping carry out after a successful appeal from the owner.

Glasgow City Council had originally rejected plans to convert the old Bernard Corrigan’s Fishmonger premises due to the impact on neighbours.

There was concern over possible odours and noise from an objector.

But the applicant, Sean Corrigan, called for the refusal to be reconsidered, and the city’s three-person planning local review committee yesterday (Tuesday) agreed the scheme could happen.

It can now be used as takeaway specialising in loaded fries, offering chips with a variety of toppings.

The applicant said: “At a time in society where businesses, and particularly town centres, are suffering, being able to bring something new to this part of the city should be viewed as a positive contribution.”

Corrigan’s at 1024 Shettleston Road, a well known family run business which provides fresh fish and poultry to over 200 Glasgow restaurants, had used the unit to prepare fish and allow direct sale to the public.

The application revealed: “It became apparent that a retail unit was not sustainable and did not fit into the wider business model.

“As a result, the retail aspect of the business had to close and the unit has subsequently laid vacant for over three years.

“Given that the unit has been in the Corrigan Family for many years, the son and his business partner have decided to repurpose the unit, given the lack of interest from third parties to take over the unit, and in a bid to revitalise a vacant unit on an otherwise busy main street, into a new and exciting food concept.”

Shettleston Housing Association objected to the application, raising concerns over the impact on neighbours, including possible odours and noise.

They also believed the installation of a flue to the association’s property would “potentially damage the stonework and obstruct repairs to the facade and roof”.

Glasgow’s planning officers decided to reject the plans due to the concerns over the impact on neighbouring properties and the reduction in retail units in the area.

They also said no information had been provided on how the property had been “actively marketed” for retail use.

The original plans stated: “While the property wasn’t listed on the market, the owners had been actively seeking a new tenant through their extensive contacts in the commercial and retail industry and, as is evident in the years that the unit has lay vacant, they were unsuccessful.”

They argued that the area had already lost a retail use and “a new venture would reinvigorate this block within the wider town centre, and provide jobs and a new offering to local residents”.

The appeal, submitted on behalf of Mr Corrigan, added: “At this time, we feel it should be viewed positively that a business is prepared to invest in such an area to help strengthen the town centre.”

Councillor Hanzala Malik said: “I think there is a very clear shift for more and more food takeaways in the marketplace than there have been historically.

“I’ve even seen a lot of restaurants now who are changing towards home deliveries. “ He told the committee how he noticed a lot of delivery drivers waiting to pick up orders.

Councillor Malik added: ““I think the demand in the food industry is growing and the hunger for takeaways is also growing. The applicant has made a very good case in terms of what they are hoping to achieve.

“I normally have reservations about flues but this one (applicant) is very clear on what they are doing.”

Committee chairman Glenn Elder agreed the application should be approved, saying: “Open shops are always better than closed ones.”