A NEW burger van is to be set up across from the Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

That’s after planning bosses laughed off suggestions that it would present a hazard to turning vehicles.

Business Incentive Group had applied to open the snack bar in a car park on the corner of Wishart Street and Firpark Street.

The company had claimed that there is a demand for their services in the area.

But council officers initially rejected the plan amid concerns over the setting, appearance and potential to impact turning cars and lorries.

Speaking after hearing submissions by council planners, Councillor Michael Cullen said: “I’m finding it difficult to ascertain why it has been refused. I can understand why the officers have made the decision but I think it goes contrary to logic.”

In their original reasoning, planners claimed that the form, design, appearance and prominent setting would constitute an “incongruous and discordant permanent feature on the street scene”.

They also claimed that the odours and disposal of waste would not accord with policy requirements, despite plans for waste to be collected by the council.

A statement from the planners added: “By reason of the building location, the proposals have the potential to impact on on-site turning facilities for service vehicles associated with the existing premises and would therefore prejudice the free and safe flow of pedestrian, cycle and vehicle safety on Wishart Street.”

Committee member Anne McTaggart blasted those comments and said: “It’s only taking up three parking spaces, they aim to have low maintenance and they are not going to have huge grills and huge cookers.

“I think this will provide a service in an area which it would appear needs it.

“I can’t see that putting a permanent structure there instead of a car parking space is going to affect anyone’s ability to turn a vehicle.”

The committee’s stand-in chair Glenn Elder also took aim at the officers’ decision.

He said: “You couldn’t turn there anyway because there is car parking spaces.

“In one of the notices it says that waste will be removed with a contract with the council.

“I’m finding it difficult to justify in my head upholding the refusal.”

All committee members agreed to grant planning permission.