Glasgow garden decking and a bridge must be torn down in the Hyndland area after councillors said they were astounded plans for it were repeatedly lodged despite refusal.

A resident installed about two metres squared of decking, a bridge and stairs in their Turnberry Road back garden so they could reach a raised lawn.

The bridge application had already been refused three times with Glasgow City Council ordering its removal.

The bid from applicant David Gerber was dismissed again by the council during a local review committee last week following an appeal. The bridge had been installed to make the raised garden accessible for the residents living in the detached villa in the conservation area.

A statement lodged on behalf of the applicants said taking away the bridge will cause the house function to be “detrimentally altered by the removal of this garden access.”

It argued that access decks, stairs and railings are a “common occurrence on this kind of property in conservation areas and listed buildings.” It also pointed out the structure was built from an extension and was sensitively done.

But councillors were not impressed that the application was back again.

Councillor James Scanlon, Labour, said: “I find it quite incredible that this application has been refused three times and it was dismissed at appeal and they went ahead and done it.”

Agreeing with Bailie Scanlon, SNP councillor Kenny McLean said: “It has been round the houses this application. Given there is a history of this being considered by planning officers, I’m surprised we have come to a situation where it is in place and applying for retrospect.”

SNP Councillor Eva Bolander said: “I find it astounding that this is coming back again.”

Committee chair Ken Andrew, SNP, said: “I’m almost astounded that this has come back again although I accept perhaps National Planning Framework NPF4 (Scotland’s planning policy) might have given the applicant some hope that there might have been wriggle room to allow this.”

He added: “But that would not appear to be the case. NPF4 and our own city development plan seem to be relatively consistent in this area.”

The appeal was refused.

Reasons include it not being in accordance with the council’s development plan and being contrary to NPF4 policies. It was also decided the bridge would be “a dominant and incongruous addition to a historic building and adjoining garden ground.”

It was considered that the “platform associated with the staircase would result in direct views to the flatted properties to the west of the proposal site resulting in an unacceptable loss of privacy to the detriment of residential amenity.”

However the appeal lodged on behalf of the applicant said: “Being to the rear of the property, and with the property being next to an expansive 70s apartment block, the refusal stating that this is detrimental to the character of a conservation area is wholly unjust. This is a private rear garden, and it has no impact on anyone.”

The appeal statement added: “Dense vegetations adjacent to both side boundaries walls is fully screening the metal bridge structure and steps which is hidden behind the new extension.

“There is a private lane at the back of the property, separated by a tall boundary wall that fully screen the metal structure together with extension.”