THIS is the first image of a multi- million pound hotel and flats development planned for BBC Scotland's former HQ in Glasgow.

THIS is the first image of a multi- million pound hotel and flats development planned for BBC Scotland's former HQ in Glasgow.

City councillors were today due to decide whether to approve the controversial plan, which has sparked a flood of objections.

QMD Glasgow, a consortium of three developers, wants to build an 85-bedroom hotel, 180 flats in four blocks and three townhouses on the site at Queen Margaret Drive.

The demolition of the existing BBC buildings would result in a historic property on the site by Charles Rennie Mackintosh being restored and converted into a bar, reception area and hotel accommodation.

Grant Aitken, managing director of consortium member Esk Properties, said it was hoped the hotel would open by 2011. But local community groups insist the West End is already at saturation level with clubs, pubs and other nightspots.

More than 60 people have written to councillors demanding the application be turned down.

Hillhead community council chairman Jean Charsley said: "The bar at this development is huge, capable of taking at least 400 people.

"We have been saying for some time the planners should not allow any more pubs in the West End because we are already at saturation point."

QMD says it has had interest from hotel firms keen to open a four or five-star hotel opposite the Botanic Gardens.