CHARITY bosses fear they could be kicked out of their base after being hit with an enforcement notice claiming it brought down the “character” of the surrounding area.
Homeless Project Scotland has been operating from a building in Glasgow’s city centre after being ordered to move from a spot under a railway bridge last year.
The charity, operating Scotland’s largest soup kitchen, has provided shelter to almost 10,000 vulnerable people in addition to 650,000 hot meals since then.
Bosses have been ordered to shut, because the council said it was “not appropriate” to turn an office block into a homeless shelter.
Papers served to the charity said its users were causing “disturbances” and having “negative impact on public safety”.
But the charity has now appealed the notice and submitted a planning application.
CEO Colin McInnes said: “The council did not want to offer us indoor premises, but now that we have premises they want to evict us.
“They served us an enforcement notice to close down our full service because we didn’t ask for planning permission.
“Our argument is that you can’t plan for a homeless crisis.
“It doesn’t sit well with us that you have a council and a planning department who want to attack the most vulnerable in society. It’s putting politics before people.
“Lots of businesses have also raised objection to us being there. On the enforcement notice it says homeless people are bringing down the conservation area.
“It’s also rich businesses putting coppers before compassion. It’s shocking.”
It’s understood a number of businesses on the street have submitted objections, while others have provided letters of support.
The soup kitchen was previously based at the Hielanman’s Umbrella before briefly moving to the Broomielaw.
Businessman Barry Cushley came forward following an appeal for help and provided indoor premises at a former office block on Glassford Street.
The charity provides meals for 350 people per day and a night shelter for up to 33 people.
It’s understood they were approached about the need for planning permission in December last year, followed by visits from Sheriff officers.
They received an enforcement notice in September — which they have since appealed.
Documents said there was a “breach of planning control” and that the charity should “cease the unauthorised use” of the overnight homeless shelter.
It said the premises were converted “without the necessary planning permission”.
Papers said the change was “not appropriate” due to the “nature of the surrounding area”.
They said complaints had been received which showed a “significant problem of anti-social behaviour and crime” in connection with the “unauthorised use in this location”.
The council said users were “congregating outside”, leading to “disturbances and a negative impact on public safety”.
It claimed the service had caused “significant detriment to the character and amenity of the area”.
The council said nearby commercial businesses also residents had also experienced a “genuine fear of crime and anti-social behaviour”.
A spokesman for the council said: “We do not comment on live planning applications or appeals.
“What we can confirm is that any further enforcement action will be held in abeyance pending the outcomes of the appeal and application processes.”
