Campaigners fighting to save Perth City Hall are celebrating Historic Scotland’s decision that it should not be demolished.
Perth and Kinross Council had wanted to raze the B listed building, which has lain empty since 2005, but the heritage watchdog said the authority had not fully explored the alternatives to pulling the Edwardian structure down.
A spokesman said: ”After careful consideration we have refused permission for its demolition … It is our belief, on the evidence presented by Perth and Kinross Council, that they have not made the case for demolition and that the alternatives have not been fully explored.”
The council had wanted to create a new civic space in front of St John’s Kirk by removing the hall in its entirety, claiming it would bring millions of pounds into the city.
It said its civic centre vision would have brought more than 200,000 extra visits to Perth, generating £2.4 million by creating more space for markets and cultural events, as well as opening up the St John’s Kirk vista and completing the ”Caf Quarter”.
However, in a lengthy appraisal, Historic Scotland said these benefits do not outweigh the loss of the city hall and a similar space could be created elsewhere.
A spokesman for the council said it would examine the ruling further.
He said: ”Our priority is regenerating the city centre and providing jobs, and this will continue to be our focus in our plans for Perth.
”Our consultation and research showed that the creation of a civic square was the most beneficial option for the economy and was the option most supported by the public and local businesses.
”We involved Historic Scotland throughout the planning process and welcome their offer to continue to work with us to seek the best possible options for the benefit of Perth and the surrounding area.”
Historic Scotland’s decision is just the latest twist in a near decade-long planning wrangle and means a saga which has dogged the two previous Perth and Kinross Council administrations has returned to bite the new one before it has even been properly formed.
Critics fear the drawn-out affair could stretch for many more years and called for those with alternative plans to firm them up as soon as possible.
City centre retailer John Bullough, of McEwens department store, said: ”My greatest fear is that the hall will sit empty for another five years whilst we spend money to come to the same conclusion that we have come to several times before.”
The new council must now go back to the drawing board and former opponents of demolition made it clear they remain keen to talk.
Among the suggestions put forward are a partial demolition and an indoor market hall concept, both of which have been dismissed repeatedly by the council in recent months.
But James Provan, former MEP and chairman of Perth City Centre Campaign, said the council must now engage with his group to find a solution.
Its plan would see the frontage of the hall around one fifth of the building retained for a tourism or heritage purpose.
An open space would then be created between that and St John’s Kirk.
A different plan has been proposed by local businessman Vivian Linacre. He heads up a group seeking to retain the whole of the building and convert it into an upscale market hall.