GLASGOW City Council appears to have poured cold water on a private firm’s plans to transform a pub once owned by Celtic legend Billy McNeill into a hostel for the homeless.

It is understood the company was hoping the local authority would provide placements at the proposed facility in Torrisdale Street.

However, the Evening Times has learned the council’s social work department has no plans to work with ‘Dundas Heritable Ltd’, the firm which has applied to redevelop McNeill’s.

The two-storey venue, which was previously owned by Celtic legend Billy McNeill, will house nine people if the council gives the plans the green light.

A council spokesman said: “The homelessness service has not been involved in commissioning this development and will not be referring people to the premises should planning permission be granted.”

More than 100 people attended a recent meeting in Queen’s Park Parish Church which was organised by Shawlands and Strathbungo Community Council to discuss the planning application.

Some years ago residents fought and won a bitter battle to shut down a notorious hostel known as the ‘Parkview Hotel’ in nearby Balvicar Street and many still have concerns about such facilities.

Chairman of Shawlands and Strathbungo Community Council, Toni Tochel, said: “Local residents understand the wide variety of issues surrounding hostels of this kind due to similar hostels having been located in the area in the past and there is a view that, were this plan to go ahead, it would have a detrimental effect on efforts being made to improve the quality of life of local residents at this time.”

McNeill’s in Torrisdale Street opened in 1965 as the Madeira before Lisbon Lion Billy McNeill bought it and renamed it.

The Evening Times understands the former Celtic captain offloaded the venue several years ago and has no financial interest in the hostel plan.

A spokesman for the applicant said they still hope to secure planning permission for a ‘supported housing development’ despite the council snub and community concerns.

“We are currently at advanced negotiations with a long standing public housing provider and if planning permission is granted look forward to delivering first class housing and shelter to citizens of Glasgow who find themselves in need,” said the spokesman.

“We are not in discussions with local authorities from outside Glasgow and will not be seeking placements from outside our city.”

Shawlands and Strathbungo Community Council have created a template letter which gives residents the opportunity to either indicate their support for or opposition to the application.

A statement on the group’s Facebook page warned: “If objecting, you need to make your objections on specific material grounds or it will be disregarded.”

A document on material considerations has also been posted on the Facebook page.

The applicant's spokesman added: “We are more than happy to meet representatives of the community to discuss our innovative development proposal.”

The deadline for comments on the application has been extended by the council. The previous deadline was August 3.

Comments on the planning application can now be submitted up until 5pm on August 10 by visiting glasgow.gov.uk/onlineapplications.