The chair of a homelessness charity said he was “shocked” to receive a council enforcement notice to cease “unauthorised use” of a building due to not having correct planning permission.

Homeless Project Scotland, based in Glasgow, has operated out of a premises in Glassford Street with a soup kitchen and overnight shelter since December.

The charity was handed an enforcement notice by Glasgow City Council on 6 September, with a six-week appeal period before the order comes into effect.

After six weeks, the charity will have three months to comply with the cease of use order.

Colin McInnes, chair and founder of Homeless Project Scotland, said the charity had received no communication from the council’s planning department since the start of the year.

“We were issued a letter from Glasgow City Council on 19 January asking us to submit a planning application by the end of March,” McInnes said.

“Plans were made to move to the Terror Records building in Argyle Street and we were making headway but someone came along and purchased that building, so we had to move to Glassford Street.

“We were also in discussion with the council about whether it was a planning application or change of use application required.”

McInnes said the charity also had discussions with the council’s building standards department.

“We were a bit shocked to receive the enforcement notice. We thought we were in discussions with the planning department but it was the building standards department, which is separate.

“The fire and rescue service also saw our building in January and they were satisfied we complied with fire safety. As far as we’re concerned, we’ve done everything above board.”

McInnes said the charity was working with architects to draw up change of use and building warrant applications.

“I spoke to the building standards team on 10 September and they said they were satisfied with our compliance and they were just awaiting the documentation,” McInnes said.

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said the charity had not submitted an application for change of use, despite efforts to encourage it to do so.

“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,” the spokesperson said.

“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 antisocial behaviour and crime in the area appear to be well-founded.”

The spokesperson said, given the “lack of engagement”, the council believed it was necessary to take action to cease the “unauthorised use” of the premises.

“[The council] remains open for the occupants to submit a planning application for assessment through the usual process,” the spokesperson said.

McInnes said the charity was happy to register with the Scottish Care Inspectorate.

“We don’t have any issues or worries with the standard of support we are offering people in our shelter,” McInnes said.

McInness referred to crime reports and residents’ complaints about the charity’s premises as “absolute rubbish”.

He said: “What I would say to that is, we have five nightclubs and a casino less than 12 metres from our premises.

“The level of antisocial behaviour that comes from angry drunks is unbelievable.

“I think that’s another poor excuse being used against us.”

McInness also said the charity premises had two fire exits, a working fire alarm system and “all safety measures in place”, combatting reports the charity was only using one fire exit.