Historic Scotland has set out the reasons behind its opposition to the demolition of one of Perth’s best-known former hotels.
Simon Montgomery is Historic Scotland’s senior heritage management officer of historic buildings north.
He has contacted Perth and Kinross Council to outline the organisation’s opposition to businesswoman and philanthropist Ann Gloag’s plan to raze the Waverley Hotel and build a multi-use hall and gym in its place.
Her aim is to extend the community use of the adjacent Trinity Church of the Nazarene, stating this would assist those with drug and alcohol issues.
However, Mr Montgomery states the preferred choice of Historic Scotland is not to demolish the building of the former Waverley Hotel.
He said: “We note that whilst the agent states the retention of one of the villas would be illogical, we would, in terms of the special interest of all the individual buildings and their contribution to the character of the conservation area, suggest that retention is desirable for any of the listed buildings.”
“The structural survey’s recommendations do not provide sufficient reassurance that development of the site using the existing villas is simply not feasible.
“There are no new crack patterns or obvious movements evident.”
A spokesperson for Ann Gloag said: “The planning application is still active and we continue to engage with the council regarding the way forward.
“We are disappointed by Historic Scotland’s response that they seek to protect redundant buildings of limited significance at the expense of local community benefit.”