Historic Scotland has broken its silence to warn that it is unlikely to grant permission for Perth City Hall’s demolition while would-be saviours remain.
In a shock letter delivered to Perth and Kinross Council’s planning department on Friday, senior officers appeared to open the door to yet more delays.
It said that both ambitious new plans to convert the hall into a five-star hotel and resurrected proposals for an upmarket food hall should be given “every opportunity to progress”.
The government agency finally made its thinking clear as the midday deadline for public consultation approached.
The Courier understands there have been more than 2,325 individual letters of objection to the listed Edwardian hall’s destruction, though documents are still being processed.
Perth and Kinross Council will almost certainly apply, for a second time, for permission to demolish the building and create a civic square in its place.
The local authority could, however, face an even greater challenge than that suggested by Historic Scotland’s previous refusal, delivered in May 2012.
Historic Scotland said before it would be “very difficult to demonstrate” the perceived wider economic benefits of demolition would “outweigh the presumption in favour of retaining the building”.
The move prompted Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart to urge Historic Scotland to resolve the matter.
In a letter to the council, Historic Scotland’s heritage management team leader (historic buildings west) Dara Parsons said: “We note that applications have now been lodged for proposals to convert the City Hall into a hotel.”
“Clearly, our view is that any such proposal should be given every opportunity to progress and we consider that it would be very difficult to argue that all options have been explored until this proposal and any other outstanding proposals to take on the building have been considered.”
He added: “We would be grateful if we could be kept up to date with any further approaches from third parties so that we can take those into account in any further assessment of the case for demolition.
“If you determine that any approaches cannot be pursued either for viability or other reasons, we would expect that assessment to be included in the package of material submitted to us in support of your own proposals.”
The ambitious plans for a five-star “Perth City Grand Hotel” only came to light in late February, with proposals unveiled for 32 high-class bedroom suites, a fine-dining restaurant and a rooftop terrace bar and eatery.
Details and designs are yet to be made public but The Seventy Group’s director, Kinross property developer Simon Wilson, has been in talks with council officials since December.
A feasibility study, business plan and economic viability statement are all in the process of being prepared and could be submitted to the council before the end of the month.
Mr Wishart does not look forward to that eventuality with enthusiasm, however, saying: “Yet again the City Hall saga is dragged on to another chapter.
“This building has sat empty for years and nothing ever comes of the various schemes that are dreamt up.
“All that these last minute interventions succeed in doing is to delay the local Council’s plans to create a vibrant civic space in the heart of the city.
“Over and over, alternative plans have been puffed up and found wanting. It is time to let go and move on.”