CONTROVERSIAL plans for a cafe with a hot food takeaway have been approved by the council - despite objections raised by the town's MSP.

Two of the five objectors - including MSP Jackie Baillie, Riverside Parish Church and a neighbouring estate agency - turned out at West Dunbartonshire Council's planning committee meeting on Wednesday, August 2, to plead with councillors to refuse the application.

Alex Mooney, who lives in the flat above number the proposed site at 11 Castle Street, told the committee his way of life would be significantly disrupted if the plans were to go ahead due to on the grounds of "exacerbated" parking problems and odour control.

He said: "I have a number of objections such as the dangerous increase in traffic, over provision of foot outlets and damage to residents way of life.

"There's no adequate odour retraction system. It was originally supposed to go through a vent above the front door but my living room window is just four feet away from that."

He added: "I say to everyone here, how would you feel about a food takeaway odour and hot stale air filling your home six days a week?

"Would you be happy with that? Have I to live with my window closed?"

While Ms Baillie added: "There have been lots of issues with parking in this part of the town centre ever since the car park at the Burgh Hall closed.

"When the new council offices open the situation will only get worse because there are not enough parking spaces available at the site.

"I welcome any new business in the town centre, including any new cafe, but West Dunbartonshire Council must take action to improve parking facilities otherwise people will simply take their custom elsewhere."

But council officers disputed the claims the 22-seat cafe's designs go against regulations and asked councillors to grant the plans.

The report, in conclusion, states: "The proposed cafe is consistent with town centre policies and with the strategy of encouraging an active street frontage along Castle Street.

"The café would only operate through the daytime, and subject to its ventilation being installed and maintained properly it should not give rise to a loss of amenity for the flats above.

"Although there is no dedicated parking, the net increase in parking demand would be insignificant in the context of the town centre, and there is access to public parking in the immediate area."

Despite concerns from Baillie Denis Agnew - who moved to refuse the application on the grounds of concerns over the quality of life of nearby residents - committee chair Councillor Jim Finn moved to grant Nicholas Gilmore's request to change the use provided he meet special conditions to ease the fears of the site's neighbours.