A West End gym can no longer operate after politicians refused a planning appeal.

The decision was made despite one councillor saying she wasn’t in “favour of closing down a business” over not having the right permission.

Versko, which rents the gym space to a personal trainer business, said being left with an empty unit would be “damaging” and it would be difficult to generate replacement income.

The company said the gym on Lynedoch Place only offers one to one personal training on a small scale with no group classes. But a council meeting heard today neighbours complained about noise.

An appeal statement from Versko and gym operator Team JPP said: “The business owner has worked hard to establish a new business and a source of revenue for themselves particularly during Covid restrictions and would lose their source of income if this appeal were to be rejected. During this time the business owner has invested in their business equipment and the landlord has invested in the refurbishment of the interior.”

The use of the basement room was changed from an office to a gym in the blonde sandstone terrace without council planning permission.

A subsequent planning application lodged by Versko Ltd, which was refused by the council, faced 14 objections including one from Woodlands and Park Community Council. Concerns included noise and disruption to neighbours as well as the proposal not being compatible with the residential character of the area.

Councillors were divided on whether to grant the appeal at today’s planning local review committee.

Councillor Elaine Gallagher, Scottish Greens, said: “I wouldn’t be in favour of closing down a business on the basis that it did not apply for the correct planning permission.”

She called for it to be granted with conditions put in place to limit the numbers of clients, noise and operating hours.

Councillor Gallagher said she didn’t believe the small scale of the gym would disturb a residential area any more than the other offices in the same townhouse.

Agreeing, councillor Declan Blench, SNP, said: “I don’t see who benefits from this business being made to close down.”

Committee acting chair, councillor Eva Bolander said there have been complaints from neighbouring residents who heard noise in their house, which sparked council enforcement action.

She said she was concerned about the structure of the building in the Park Conservation Area with people coming daily overlapping each other.

She also said she is unsure whether the parking is adequate.

The SNP councillor added: “This is a highly residential area and I am more inclined to refuse this retrospective application.”

Describing it as a “difficult one,” councillor Kenny McClean, SNP, said: “It is a conservation area. We are aware there have been issues. There have been complaints.”

After a tie vote, councillor Bolander had the final deciding vote opting to refuse.

Versko also disputed the classification of the use as Class 11 believing it should be seen as Class 2, professional services category.

The planning appeal was rejected for a number of reasons including that it was not in accordance with the development plan. It was decided it would “impact unacceptably” on the residential amenity along with other issues.

The appeal statement added: “The office space provides employment to a local resident who is able to walk to his place of employment, provide revenue to the landlord and ensures that the office space is being actively used and not just lying empty.”

It added that the business seeks to improve the physical and mental health and well being of the local area.

The gym operator had been prepared to alter opening hours so they could continue working in the area.