Campaigners staged a protest inside Glasgow City Council offices as a homeless shelter faces a fresh recommendation to refuse planning permission.
Supporters of Homeless Project Scotland entered the John Street building yesterday (Thursday 10 September), ahead of a decision on its Glassford Street premises on Tuesday 15 September. Police attended the demonstration.
The charity is seeking temporary permission for up to five years to operate the 24-hour shelter. Council planners recommend refusal over concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour in the surrounding area.
Glasgow City Council papers cite 274 crimes linked to the premises since January 2024.
Chief executive Colin McInnes said: “The numbers are correct, but they aren’t necessarily incidents which happened at our facility.”
McInnes warned that closing the service would put vulnerable people at risk.
Homeless Project Scotland describes itself as an entirely volunteer-run charity, providing emergency accommodation, daily hot meals and a round-the-clock helpline. Donations from individuals and businesses fund its work.
The planning application covers the ground floor and basement of a seven-storey building. Food is prepared elsewhere before being brought to the premises.
A previous application and appeal were rejected. The charity maintains that a direct connection between its operation and antisocial behaviour has not been demonstrated.
The council said it could not comment on a live application and that councillors would consider it on its merits.
If refusal is approved the charity would have three months to appeal, with enforcement action delayed until that process concluded.