Plans to build a massive mixed use development on the historic Govan Graving Docks and neighbouring basin have been rejected.

Developers New City Vision, who own the site, lodged plans for more than 700 flats, a museum/ heritage centre, restaurant, shopping and office space, and a 195-bedroom hotel.

Planning bosses rejected the proposal due to a failure to preserve the site's "special architectural and historic interest".

They also said that sacrificial floors would place people and property at "direct flood risk".

Read more: Govan Graving Docks owners shun ships plan for site

Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) previously insisted that development would be susceptible to flooding after being consulted by Glasgow City Council three times.

A report by Glasgow City Council states that the submission was "surprisingly poor given the scale of development proposed and significance of the Govan Graving Docks" adding that those involved failed to justify numerous tall buildings and the density of the development.

It goes on to say: "The lack of quality analysis of the environmental impacts…would normally have resulted in the planning authority seeking to have the environmental statement amended however the response from the applicant with regards to the flooding and historic environment issues which we did raise with them was not productive.

"This, coupled with the wider unsuitability of the development principle in terms of national and local legislation and guidance, has led us to move directly to the refusal of the application.”

City planners also took umbrage with the fact that the eastern part of the site is comprised "almost entirely" of category A-listed structure.

Developers had hoped to build more than 500 flats across nine tall buildings, up to 15 storeys in height in place of the structure.

Read more: New developments are not enough to transform the Glasgow's riverside, say experts

Parking provision was described as "drastically insufficient for the scale of development proposed" by the planning committee.

Harry O’Donnell, chairman of New City Vision Group, stated in the application documents: “We believe that the transformational design will protect, celebrate and enhance the history, architecture and archaeology of Govan Graving Docks and the River Clyde for future generations.”

He previously stated that "putting shipbuilding in the heart of that dilutes the thrust of what (they are) trying to create.”

The privately-owned yard was closed in 1988 and has since lain derelict.

More than 1,700 people have signed a petition calling on Glasgow City Council planning department to serve a repairs notice on the owners of the A-listed docks, for restoration of the docks and the pump house to their original condition, to pave the way for a compulsory purchase.

The Buildings at Risk Register describes it as an “outstanding complex, unique in Scotland".

aul Sweeney Labour MP for Glasgow North East said the issue with the plans was that they were ‘grossly overdeveloped to make it stack up’.

He added: “The owner of the site has owned for a number of years and has done nothing with the site.

“He’s essentially land banked it to get planning permission to sell on the site for an inflated price.

"Jim McColl of Ferguson shipbuilders in Port Glasgow has submitted plans to restart the docks as a commercial shipbuilding facility.

"It would be used for industrial use but would also open it up to the public as well and making it into a Maritime Museum.

"The site is a linchpin that brings the regeneration of the Clydeside together. It ties together the Pacific Quay Science Centre, across to Govan and down into the Riverside Museum. It’s the keystone so opening it up has so much potential."

Govan Councillor Allan Young added: "I’m not surprised by the decision to withhold planning permission for this proposal.

"The Govan Graving Docks is a site of great historical importance and I fail to see how building high towers of hundreds of expensive flats does it justice.

"Instead we need a proper plan, developed by the community, to protect the listed pump house and celebrate the importance of the site, creating jobs and visitors for years to come”

The Clyde Docks Preservation Initiative welcomed the decision describing it as "great news".

It is not known whether New City Vision will appeal the decision.

Govan is currently the subject of four major development plans including a new £67m social hub in Pacific Quay.

Restaurants, cafes, homes and a £10m whiskey distillery are all outlined in plans.

Read more: New developments are not enough to transform the Glasgow's riverside, say experts

Buchanan Wharf is being earmarked as a business centre, with Barclay’s Bank already committing to developing a new headquarters.

Plans have been lodged to build 348 homes, commercial units and food and drink premises at Glasgow Harbour, near the Transport Museum.

Meanwhile, Lifestyle Outlets Glasgow Harbour is set to include over 100 retail stores, 20 restaurants and cafes, a waterfront promenade, a new state of the art multiplex cinema, gym, family leisure facilities, public squares plus major event space.

It is estimated that, once complete, the Glasgow Harbour Lifestyle Outlet could generate gross GVA of around £45 million per annum for Glasgow’s economy.