Scaffolding erected at a dilapidated Perth church after the threat of legal action by the council has been described as “well overdue”.
Councillor Peter Barrett, who is in favour of Perth and Kinross Council taking over St Paul’s Church in Perth, told The Courier he feels “ongoing enforcement” is required to put pressure on the building’s owner, James Boyd.
The long-running saga which has seen the Northern Irish-based businessman face possible legal action by the local authority, has resulted in scaffolding being put up around the listed building this week. Mr Boyd still stands by his promise that the former church will be transformed into a £2.5 million caf/heritage centre, but this has been questioned by Mr Barrett, who thinks the building may yet be sold on again.
Mr Boyd bought the building in June from Edinburgh-based curry chain Khushi’s, but has faced criticism ever since for the lack of action on any moves to renovate the pigeon-infested site.
Mr Barrett, who is one of the Perth City Centre representatives, claimed the scaffolding at St Paul’s Church is “well overdue” and only appears to be the “result of pressure” from the council.
“Ongoing enforcement is essential to ensure that the urgent works to make the building safe and secure are executed and these cannot be allowed to drag on any longer,” he said.
“That means tackling elements of the building that are in danger of collapsing into the street or into the building itself as well as sealing the building from pigeons.”
Mr Barrett also said that any future change of ownership of St Paul’s Church can’t be allowed to interrupt the process of work on the building.
“Future owners should be fully aware of the obligations,” he added. “I remain convinced that the most secure future for St Paul’s lies with the council’s acquisition of the building and subsequent transfer to a special purpose development trust.”
However, Mr Boyd stressed unsightly vegetation will be cleared from the building and that he inherited a site that needed a lot of attention.
“The building will be treated for the vegetation which had built up over years and months. A specialist builder is in final contract negotiations in respect of a building timeframe,” he said.
“It is unfortunate that I seem to have inherited a legacy of inaction on the part of previous owners. I can only say that the vacant building officer and building control officers have been helpful in allowing the scaffolding to be erected and somewhat more constructive in their concerns.”
Council inspectors visited St Paul’s Church two weeks ago and a report, to be issued in due course, will give details of the condition of the building.
The local authority had said they mooted possible legal action against Mr Boyd if he did not erect scaffolding at the site.