D-DAY is looming for a bid to overturn the rejection of a plan to open a new Turkish restaurant in Greenock.

Members of Inverclyde Council’s local review body are set to decide whether to overturn a decision not to grant planning permission for a new eatery, named Efes, to open at a former furniture shop on Grey Place.

Thousands of pounds have already been poured into extensively fitting out the premises by its owners, who spent eight months waiting for the council to make a decision before it was rejected last year.

Four objections have been lodged against the application, with council officers claiming in their report that the restaurant would result in an ‘unacceptable nuisance’ from cooking odours for neighbours.

Papers prepared ahead of the meeting, scheduled for next Wednesday, include two letters from objectors which detail their issues with the new venue.

One letter, from a resident who lives nearby, claims that the noise and odours from the restaurant would be ‘unbearable’.

The other piece of correspondence raises concerns about the amount of food waste which will be stored near the restaurant, the impact that the new venue could have on insurance and property prices for residents and late-night noise from people entering and exiting the eatery.

In a response to the two letters, a representative of development firm Ferguson Planning has stated that the odours emitted from the development can be ‘appropriately and successfully’ mitigated through the implementation of a number of additional procedures.

They claim that the waste storage issues highlighted could be dealt with by inserting a ‘prior to commencement’ planning condition.

The letter adds: “The proposed restaurant would increase footfall to its town centre location, which is positive and should be viewed as such by members given that it would contribute to the vitality, vibrancy and economic viability of Greenock town centre in a time when most town centres are struggling.

“Any residential property in a town centre location will undoubtedly be subject to background noise by virtue of its location and this is unavoidable.

“However, the proposals are for a restaurant not a nightclub therefore a degree of proportionality needs to be applied in this instance.

“In terms of fire safety, this would be covered under building regulations and the building warrant process - not through the planning process.

“While fire safety is undoubtedly important, it is not a material planning consideration and should therefore be disregarded in the consideration of this appeal.”

It is estimated that the restaurant would employ around 25 people when opened and drawings indicate seating for around 80 diners over two floors.