Northcare (Scotland) Ltd submitted a second bid in October to replace Anniesland Bowling and Tennis Club at Helensburgh Drive with a “high quality” facility after Glasgow City Council planners refused permission for the original application earlier last year.

Under the revised plan, Northcare said it would deliver rooftop terraces, a cocktail lounge, spa and cinema, cafe with outside terrace, and private and public garden areas.

The care home operator said it will also make a payment toward alternative provision for a tennis court and bowling green nearby.

Councillors on the city’s planning applications committee rejected the revised proposal.

A report by officials stated: “The proposed erection of a 66-bed residential care home would result in the loss of protected open space, contrary to the Sustainable Spatial Strategy, and would have a single access which would be a hazard to pedestrian, cycle and vehicle traffic accessing the site.

“While the proposed development could potentially help address a need in the local area, for care within the local community, this does not outweigh the strong presumption in favour of the retention of protected open space.”

Now Northcare has raised the case with the Scottish Government’s planning and environmental appeals division.

A document included with the new proposal stated: “This application is being brought forward with changes to the previous scheme and in response and to resolve each of the given reasons for refusal.

“All of the garden areas, including the community garden will be managed and maintained by Northcare. This will make them more attractive to encourage the community to interact with them.

“This will be in contrast to the existing grounds, that have fallen into a state of disrepair following the closure of the bowling green. The old tennis courts in particular have not been maintained for a number of years, and this has resulted in a loss of visual amenity for neighbours overlooking the site.

“An agreement has also been reached with the neighbour at 103 Helensburgh Drive to purchase a narrow strip of land to provide wider site access capable of accommodating a bi-directional access drive with adjacent 1.8m wide footway. This will enhance the access to the care home and the community garden.”

The applicant added: “Of more immediate benefit to the local community, and to offset the loss of the recreational space afforded by the bowling and tennis club, the proposals include a community garden and also a rooftop terrace, accessible from the third floor cafe to provide new meaningful and accessible open space for use by the public.”

The statement from Unum Partnership continued: “The proposed development will provide much-needed accommodation for the ever-increasing elderly population, allowing them to live their lives with dignity and independence with specialist assistance at hand.

“It is our intention to create a care home that is a contemporary take on the traditional sandstone tenement.

“The L-shaped building will be viewed, in the main, as three storeys in height. A smaller fourth storey penthouse floor will be developed in some areas to accommodate support facilities.

“The proposal is respectful of its neighbours, with appropriate offset distances to protect existing privacy and outlook.”