The council's planning board refused Tote Bookmakers permission to open a branch at 46 Main Street, Lennoxtown, last October.

But the decision was overturned recently after the company appealed to the Scottish Government.

The way is now clear for the book makers to open in the village and the council was ordered to pay expenses of £4,863.

Councillor Simon Hutchison, chairman of the council's planning board, said: "In rejecting this application, the planning board was listening to the concerns raised by local people about this development in the village in terms of the use of the building and the potential for noise and anti-social behaviour.

"It is disappointing that the Scottish Government does not share these concerns and has overturned our refusal.

"It is doubly disappointing that, by acting to represent the views of local people, we have been required to pay expenses of almost £5,000."