Glasgow City Council has strongly denied “false” claims circulating on social media that a care home in Possilpark is to be converted into asylum accommodation. The rumours, which have been shared by right-wing and anti-immigration groups online, prompted calls for a “peaceful protest” in the area. The council has now stepped in to set the record straight, stating the planning application in question is for renovations and expansion, not a change of use.
Rumours Sparked by Social Media Posts
The claims began after posts appeared on Facebook suggesting that a planning application had been submitted to turn the site – believed to be Allander Court Care Home – into asylum accommodation. One such post, which called for a “peaceful protest” in Possilpark and ended with the statement “no illegals here”, garnered more than 1,500 reactions and was shared hundreds of times. The posts have since been debunked by the local authority.
Council Statement: 'Absolutely Not True'
A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “There have been claims on social media that a planning application has been submitted to turn a care home in Possilpark into asylum accommodation – this is absolutely not true, the application is for some additional bedrooms, an improved entrance lobby, and extra car parking spaces.” The spokesperson added: “Spreading misinformation on and offline is unacceptable, and doing so can cause damage to Glasgow's communities. We urge the public to not spread false information and continue to rely on reputable sources for information and updates.”
Planning Application Details
The council confirmed that the actual planning application involves adding extra bedrooms and car parking spaces at the care home, along with other improvements. Critically, the proposal does not include any change of use for the site. The care home, Allander Court, had been the subject of earlier reports last July that the then-owner wanted to convert it into temporary accommodation, but that proposal was swiftly rejected by the council. The property was later sold at auction in November last year.
Community Council Weighs In
Possilpark Community Council also moved to dismiss the rumours, acknowledging on social media the “confusion and wrong information” shared online about Allander Court Care Home. A spokesperson explained: “The current owner has submitted a planning application to renovate the care home and to re-establish it as a new care home. The confusion online has revolved around reporting last July that the owner wanted to convert the former care home into temporary accommodation, that proposal had been swiftly rejected by Glasgow City Council and the care home was then sold at auction in November last year. To be clear, the current owner, who bought the former care home last November, has never stated any intentions to turn the site into temporary accommodation.”
Impact and Call for Responsible Sharing
The incident highlights the potential harm of online misinformation, particularly on sensitive issues such as immigration and asylum. The council’s intervention aims to prevent community division and ensure accurate information prevails. Residents are encouraged to verify claims through official channels and avoid amplifying unverified rumours.
