By Sean Ferguson
A homeless shelter charity in Glasgow has one month to submit a planning application to the council or face eviction from its premises.
Since December 2023, Homeless Project Scotland have been set up at 67 Glassford Street where it as been serving as both a homeless kitchen and overnight shelter housing roughly 35 people each night. However, the organisation has never sought permission for the building to be used in its current format.
Glasgow City Council contacted the group back in January this year advising of the need for a change of use planning application, but claims it has not heard anything further from the project since.
There have also been multiple police reports linked to the site within the local community such as reports anti-social behaviour from the those using the service.
On September 10th, the Homeless Project decided to take action and started a protest in George Square.
Founder of the Project, Colin McInnes claims he has been trying to speak with the council about the use of the charity, but says that he has not heard back from them.
He also disputed the allegations of antisocial behaviour as “nonsense” when he spoke to the BBC Scotland News website last week.
“We also have weekly discussions with the local community police, and they have never mentioned antisocial behaviour,” he said
“Why would the council not get back to us for months and then step in and give us notice to close just before winter?”
“I think the council is clutching at straws and having a kick at homeless people when they’re down,” Mr McInnes said.
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: “The occupants have not submitted a planning application for change of use despite efforts to encourage them to do so. There has also been a lack of engagement from the property owner.
“Therefore, there has been no opportunity to scrutinise how the building is operated to ensure that it is safe, well managed and satisfies the relevant policies. There has also been no evidence provided to show that it complies with Care Inspectorate National Standards.
“There have been multiple crime reports and complaints linked to these premises since it began to be used as unauthorised homeless shelter in December 2023.
“Based on the available evidence, fears from residents and businesses that the unauthorised use of the building is directly contributing to anti-social behaviour and crime in the area appear to be well founded.
“To protect the safety and well-being of the community and given the lack of engagement from the occupants to progress with a planning application, we believe it is necessary to take action to cease the unauthorised use of these premises. It remains open for the occupants to submit a planning application for assessment through the usual process.”
The service is able to house 35 people each night and also provide hot meals to those sleeping rough.
If the project has not made an appeal with the council by October 18th then the enforcement notice will take effect, which then will mean that they will have three months to comply to the notice.
