RELIEVED residents have won their fight to stop a Glasgow hotel being turned into a homeless hostel.

RELIEVED residents have won their fight to stop a Glasgow hotel being turned into a homeless hostel.

The city council gave the go ahead for the Old Schoolhouse Hotel - next to Glasgow School of Art in Garnethill - to be turned into emergency accommodation for 21 people.

But local residents were incensed and more than 150 packed a public meeting to complain about the move.

Now Ken McMillan, owner of the Old Schoolhouse Hotel, has contacted the Evening Times to say the hostel plan has been scrapped.

Instead the entire building will be leased to Glasgow School of Art - one of the main objectors to the hostel plan - to accommodate people from Britain and overseas who visit the college.

Mr McMillan has written to the objectors to tell them of the new scheme.

His letter states: "We are pleased to advise you we have agreed to lease the building to our neighbours, Glasgow School of Art.

"We are confident the lease ensures proper maintenance of the building, gardens and also the general management required to satisfy your right to a peaceful environment which the Old Schoolhouse has allowed in the past."

Mr McMillan, who has owned the Old Schoolhouse Hotel for 12 years, refused to say if he had scrapped the hostel plan as a result of public pressure stating only: "It is a change of policy."

Protester Michael Shearsby reacted with delight when informed of the decision by the Evening Times.

He said: "We have won our case and I am over the moon. I am in shock but it is excellent news for the local community."

Anderston/City councillor Gordon Matheson said he had been working to address the concerns of residents but insisted the issues went beyond the Garnethill area.

He added: "Everyone has supported the council's decision to close large hostels and stop using bed and breakfast provision.

"However, the homeless must go somewhere and this requires the development of a variety of alternatives, including smaller-scale projects which are well managed."

Art school director Seona Reid said: "The Old Schoolhouse Hotel will provide good quality accommodation for up to 30 students in an ideal location."

Julie Robertson, who has lived in Renfrew Street for 15 years, said: "I find it incredible that the location would be proposed - let alone sanctioned - given it is next door to St Aloysius secondary and around the corner from two primaries, two nursery schools and opposite the art school."