Erratic planning decisions based on personal taste and party politics could drive away tens of millions of pounds in investment and open Scotland's largest local authority to legal action, senior sources claim.

The warning comes ahead of an application for a skyline-busting luxury hotel planned for the fringes of Glasgow city centre which some within the local authority fear could be refused because of its bold design.

It also follows the unexpected decision a fortnight ago to refuse permission for a 20-storey hotel on a rundown site on the edge of the city centre.

The bid, by the Staybridge Group, would have added 120 suites for long-stay visitors to Glasgow.

But opposition councillors and one Labour member voted against it. The authority's sole Tory, David Meikle, claiming it was "ghastly" and "hideous".

In a recent planning meeting the proposal to extend the Buchanan Galleries was described as "tacky".

Tomorrow, full planning permission is being sought for the six-star, 26-storey Argyle International Hotel, which will include 172 bedrooms, 68 apartments, a 24th storey swimming pool with a restaurant, bar and outdoor terrace on the floor immediately below.

If given the green light, it will occupy the corner of Argyle Street and Robertson Street and will help meet demand for luxury rooms in the city.

Officials and councillors are uneasy that potential developers will be turned off from investing in Glasgow.

Last night a senior Glasgow City Council source said: "It largely comes down to inexperience decisions are being made on the basis of personal taste.

"These are not competent grounds and don't send the right signals to investors who can legitimately take their money and go elsewhere."

But Mr Meikle refuted the claim that he, along with Green and Nationalist councillors were jeopardising future developments.

He said: "We shouldn't just approve for the sake of it.

"Our decisions are not politically motivated."