Glasgow homeless shelter closure will be 'death sentence', charity claims

Supporters of a Glasgow-based homeless shelter which is facing closure have dubbed the decision a "death sentence" for homeless people in the city.

Members of a community gathered to protest outside Glasgow City Council chambers on Thursday morning.

The shelter - based on Glassford Street - has been issued with an enforcement order from the council, claiming there had been complaints of anti-social behaviour and crime.

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Homeless Project Scotland Chair Colin McInnes said: "They say we don't have planning consent. I told them it is a homeless emergency."

Mr McInnes revealed the council isn't able to accommodate people and abide by homeless legislation so "why do they feel they have to enforce planning legislation."

Mr McInnes added: "It makes me feel they are giving the homeless a death sentence. The homeless are going through enough."

He called on Glasgow City Council to withdraw the enforcement notice and claimed the organisation would apply for planning consent.

The shelter - located beside the luxury House of Gods hotel - often has more than 30 people waiting to access the facility at night. The organisation says it also serves more than 660,000 meals a year.

Protestors played loud music during a council meeting this morning, as campaigners gave speeches. Marco Haig owner of Ghia Logistics attended and donated a lorry for use at the event.

Marco helps Homeless Project Scotland collect donations and carries out other voluntary duties. He said: "It is a chance to give something back. For me this is a pandemic."

A spokesperson for the 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 an 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. Any application will be considered on its individual merits within the context of our planning policies.”

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