The YMCA has submitted plans to build a new operations centre at a landmark Perth church after abandoning plans to demolish the listed building.
The organisation want to convert the former Y Centre at St Andrews and St Steven’s Parish Church on Atholl Street and North William Street into a new headquarters over three floors.
They also hope to build four flats at an abandoned tenement block at an adjacent flats on North William Street.
The run down Gothic church is currently listed as being at risk but YMCA are no longer seeking to flatten the building following objections from Heritage Scotland.
Instead the group hope to demolish an extension to the rear of the building which has also been deemed unsafe.
A spokesperson for the group said: “The proposals are to demolish the existing 1950s extension to the rear of the church as it is in an excessive and dangerous state of decline and is not economically viable to repair and restore it to any proposed future use.
“The demolition will restore much needed external amenity space for the YMCA.”
The Y Centre at the Category C listed landmark is owned and was operated by the YMCA until it became unfit for use while the additional tenement on North William Street is currently unoccupied and deemed unsafe.
The organisation has spent over 15 years trying to save the building through limited repairs but last year claimed to have exhausted all avenues and put forward a proposal to demolish the building.
However, following complaints from Heritage Scotland, the new proposal will retain the historic landmark.
