EX-RANGERS star Scott Arfield is appealing a council decision to turn down plans for a pub near Ibrox.
Arfield, who played over 200 games for the club, wants to convert an empty former bookmakers on Copland Road into a bar.
Council planners rejected his scheme due to the potential impact on residents nearby, including in the flats above, and bin storage issues.
Now, an appeal has been launched on behalf of the footballer, who currently plays in England for Bolton Wanderers. Councillors on the city’s planning review committee are set to consider the case next week.
The architects acting for Arfield argue the proposal will bring a property which has been empty for over two years and needs “major upgrade and repair” back into use.
They add it would act as a “mini fan zone” on match days at Ibrox, taking up to 90 fans “off the street into a well-managed area, reducing pedestrian street traffic and noise”.
Opening hours could be limited to Rangers match days and special ticketed events, the appeal claims.
It adds the bar would create jobs in the area and waste can be handled within the property, with a private firm carrying out regular uplifts.
Two neighbours with concerns about the impact on residents objected to the initial application. One said over 50,000 attend Ibrox Stadium which “already causes a lot of disruption and anti-social behaviour due to alcohol consumption”.
They added anti-social behaviour ranges from “fans drinking and urinating in the street” to “being exposed to verbal abuse and deliberate damage to our property”.
The objectors believe another pub will present a “real risk” to increased anti-social behaviour, putting more pressure on “already stretched” police officers.
A council report states the applicants have asked for a site inspection and hearing to be held. Councillors will be able to decide whether these are required.
This is the second application to turn the former Ladbrokes into a pub after Arfield’s first proposal was refused in August last year.
