Council planning chiefs are pressing ahead with choosing a preferred developer for the Egyptian Halls in Union Street in the city centre. But first, it has to take control of the building from its long-term owner, who has plans of his own. Councillors are, next week, being asked to approve developer, Ediston, who has plans to turn the halls into a hotel. Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Built Heritage and Development at Glasgow City Council, said: “Identifying a compelling, detailed and well-progressed proposal for the Egyptian Halls is key to securing a future for this architectural masterpiece while giving new life and new purposes to Glasgow’s built heritage. He has also said the council failed to provide its share of agreed funding for an approved scheme in 2013 and said a £5m grant application in 2015 was “torpedoed”, which he said the council previously supported.