CITY council chiefs have vetoed plans for a restaurant and nightclub at the Botanic Gardens.

CITY council chiefs have vetoed plans for a restaurant and nightclub at the Botanic Gardens.

Millionaire businessman Stefan King today described the decision as "a great shame" after his G1 Group was told last night its £7million proposal for a disused piece of ground in Glasgow's Great Western Road was being rejected.

He had hoped to provide an underground nightclub for 400 people, a bar and restaurant in a building identical to a former railway station which stood on the spot.

The move had resulted in hundreds of objections from people who insisted they did not want a nightclub in the famous gardens.

Glasgow City Council leader Steven Purcell told Mr King of the decision in a letter after discussions with senior colleagues.

Mr King said today: "We very much regret that we have not been able to come to a lease arrangement with the city council that is suitable to both parties.

"It is a great shame this endeavour, which would have delivered a fantastic asset for the city, is not proceeding."

Mr King added: "We have always had a very good relationship with Glasgow City Council and we intend to continue working positively with the council.

"This one just didn't happen. That's life."

Overjoyed campaigners, who have fought a long battle to stop the development, today said the decision was a victory for "people power".

David Howat, chairman of pressure group Save Our Botanics, said: "I'm absolutely delighted.

"This shows that if people feel really strongly and make their views known then sometimes they will prevail."

Kelvin MSP Pauline McNeill said: "Credit is due to everyone who has been involved in the campaign and I welcome this as the right decision."

The official confirmation of the plan being ditched comes weeks after council sources claimed the nightclub element of the scheme was "dead in the water".

Mr Purcell said the G1 scheme didn't represent "best value" but today insisted the council was committed to commercial or publicly-led schemes in city parks "which do not compromise them".

But he said it was unlikely there would be any developments in the short to medium term."

The issue split Glasgow's Labour administration after it was approved in principle last June.

Save Our Botanics campaigned relentlessly against the proposals and 1000 people, including actors Robert Carlyle and Bill Paterson staged a demonstration in the park at the end last month.

Jean Charsley, of Hillhead Community Council today said: "I'm relieved and delighted the council has listened to the massive outcry against the commercial exploitation of our beloved Botanic Gardens."