iStockHomeless Project Scotland says it is “deeply disappointed” after Glasgow City Council recommended that the organisation’s night shelter be refused permission to remain open.
The shelter on Glassford Street provides emergency accommodation and food for dozens of people living on the streets.
In early 2026, Homeless Project Scotland lodged a new planning application to allow their services to continue.
However, this has been met with pushback from nearby businesses who are concerned over the rise of antisocial behaviour in the area.
Now, Glasgow City Council has recommended the application be refused citing safety concerns.
Colin McInnes, chief executive and co-founder of the Homeless Project Scotland, said he was “deeply disappointed” by the decision.
It will be up to councillors on the planning committee to decided whether to grant or refuse the charity’s application.
Reasons for refusal have been laid out in a council report, including increased public disorder, unsuitable location, impact on nearby businesses, and a lack of licence to cook and serve hot food.
The report by the council stated: “The proposal has resulted in an elevated fear of crime associated with the increase in antisocial behaviour and crime in the locality, as evidenced by Police Scotland incident reporting from periods of 12 months before, and the period after the night shelter commenced operation in December 2023.
“The resulting fear of crime is considered detrimental to the character and amenity of the surrounding area.”
It is not the first time the charity has tried to obtain planning permission for the night shelter with previous attempts failing.
Mr McInnes has now issued a plea to councillors to consider keeping the shelter open, saying “the fight is not over”.
He said: “This is a recommendation to elected councillors, and I am asking every councillor who will make this decision to think very carefully about what is at stake.
“Homeless Project Scotland exists because people are hungry, people are sleeping rough and people are falling through gaps in the system.
“Our volunteers turn up every single day to provide food, warmth, safety, dignity and support to people who often have nowhere else to go.
“At a time when Scotland has declared a housing emergency, I simply cannot understand how closing vital frontline homeless services can be considered the right answer.
“Councillors were elected to represent communities and protect vulnerable people. I am asking them to listen to the people of Glasgow, look at the reality on our streets and consider the human consequences before making their decision.
“Behind every statistic is a person. Someone’s son. Someone’s daughter. Someone’s mum, dad, brother or sister.
“We will fight with everything we have to protect this service and the people who depend upon it. I am asking Glasgow to stand with us.”
The application will be decided when the council’s planning committee meets on September 15.
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