A CHARITY has halted a meeting at the City Chambers in protest over plans to close its night shelter.

Homeless Project Scotland set up its food kitchen service outside the council headquarters on Tuesday night ahead of a local community council meeting.

Glasgow City Council, who had received complaints from Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTCC), served a notice on the charity to shut the night shelter in Glassford Street because it does not have planning permission.

Residents say there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour and crime reports since the shelter opened last winter and concerns were also raised at a meeting for the safety of people staying in the building as they believe there is only one entrance to the building. 

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(Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) On Tuesday, Homeless Project Scotland closed its kitchen for the night and moved it to Cochrane Street outside the entrance where the Community Council was holding its AGM.

Gathering from about 6pm it brought a mobile kitchen and set up tables laden with food ready to serve the dozens of people who come every night for food.

Banners and placards greeted the community councillors demanding the plan to shut the service is withdrawn.

A banner stating 'Save the Glasgow Night Shelter' and placards with slogans including 'Protect the vulnerable Glasgow needs the shelter' were propped up against the building.

READ NEXT: Homeless charity told it's 'not appropriate' for conservation area

(Image: Newsquest)(Image: newsquest) Colin McInnes, chair of Homeless Project Scotland, said: "Our message is 'leave us alone'.

"The community council has discussed us at every meeting in the last year. Homeless people are being seen as a problem and an inconvenience.

"But we have had no contact from the community council. They have never asked to come and see what we do or meet with us.

"So we have come to them."

As a result of the protest, MCTCC was forced to abandon their meeting after they were warned by security staff they "could not guarantee the safety of those attending.

They highlighted that the community council has no statutory powers on planning issues. 

A spokesperson for MCTCC said: "We very much regret our meeting had to be abandoned after Glasgow City Chambers’ security staff warned they could not guarantee the safety of those attending, including local residents, Community Councillors, elected Ward Councillors and a representative of our local MP. 

"Homeless Project Scotland was again not on the agenda.

"For almost a year this matter has been in the hands of Glasgow City Council which has served a Planning Enforcement Notice on the Glassford Street premises because of non-compliance with relevant legislation.

"Like other community councils in Scotland, MCTCC has no statuary powers or responsibility on planning issues.

"We shall be re-arranging our public meeting in due course.”

READ NEXT: More than 40k sign petition to keep Glasgow homeless shelter open

(Image: Newsquest) Homeless Project Scotland on Glassford Street (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) The Glasgow Times has reported how the council served the enforcement notice to "cease unauthorised use of the building" on the charity for the service in Glassford Street.

As well as the lack of planning permission for the change of use as an overnight shelter it said a night shelter was not appropriate in a conservation area.

More than 40,000 people have signed a petition to keep the shelter open and the charity said it is appealing the decision.

It is understood Homeless Project Scotland has submitted a planning application and an appeal against the enforcement notice. 

A spokesperson for Glasgow City 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."