Protesters enter Glasgow City Chambers to demand permission for Glassford Street night shelter

# What happened Protesters demanding that a Glasgow night shelter remain open entered Glasgow City Chambers on September 10, 2026. They were audible inside the council building shouting phrases including "save our shelter" and "shame on you." Police Scotland attended and had officers inside and outside the premises.

# What the shelter is and how it operates The shelter is run by Homeless Project Scotland (HPS) on Glassford Street. It operates as a 24-hour facility using the ground floor and basement of a seven-storey building. Food is prepared offsite and brought in to be served. The charity says the premises provide overnight accommodation and serve food to around 350 people per day.

HPS has been operating at the site without the required planning permission since late 2023. The current application seeks temporary planning permission for up to five years.

# Why planners recommend refusal Council planning officers are again recommending refusal. Their report says the development has been "linked strongly to an increase in anti-social behaviour and crime in the Glassford Street locality." That concern was the basis for a previous application being refused and an appeal being rejected.

# What HPS argues In its latest application, Homeless Project Scotland disputes the claimed link between the shelter and anti-social behaviour. The charity says there are no evidential links that demonstrate a direct connection, and notes that Police Scotland did not object to the application on those grounds when given the opportunity.

# Immediate consequences and next steps The council said it could not comment on a live application and that the case will be considered on its merits at the forthcoming meeting. Councillors are due to decide the application next Tuesday.

If councillors vote to reject the planning permission, HPS would have up to three months to lodge an appeal. Any enforcement action to close or change the use of the premises would be delayed until the appeal process is complete.

# Why this matters locally The shelter provides daily food and overnight accommodation to several hundred people, so a refusal would affect the charity's ability to operate at this location. The planners' concerns about anti-social behaviour reflect tensions between local amenity and services for people experiencing homelessness. Protesters entering the council building indicate community mobilisation in response to the planners' recommendation.

# Council and police roles

# Timeline recap

• Late 2023: HPS began operating at Glassford Street without planning permission.
• Prior to 2026: A previous planning application and an appeal were refused.

• Next Tuesday (following Sep 10): Councillors will consider the current temporary-permission application.

The outcome depends on the councillors' decision and any subsequent appeal by HPS.