Perth Leisure Pool could be re-considered for protected status after council bosses failed to inform Historic Environment Scotland that Thimblerow was the new intended site for PH2O.
The government protection agency had been considering the listing of Perth Leisure Pool (PLP) since 2022 but decided against it after council officials told them development proposals to build a new leisure centre on the same site at Glover Street were at an “advanced” stage.
HES made the decision after Perth and Kinross Council sent them a letter on July 19 stating that the current leisure pool and Dewars Centre site was still the intended place to build a new complex.
Letter called Glover Street ‘optimum location’
In the letter, a council official states: “There are development proposals for PLP which are at an advanced stage, having been in play for more than 10 years.
“It is a long-term committed project called ‘PH2O’, to consolidate three leisure facilities on two sites: the Bell’s Centre providing dry sports activities and a redeveloped leisure facility on the existing PLP and Dewars Centre sites.”
The claim is reiterated again later in the correspondence: “The council agreed the review’s proposed recommendation for PH2O that the PLP/Dewars Centre site was still viewed as the optimum location.”
In its report, HES concluded that PLP was worthy of being designated as a Category B listed building but that it decided against it due to the advanced development plans
On August 16, the government agency published its final decision regarding Perth Leisure Pool.
Less than two weeks later, on August 28, Perth and Kinross Council went public with their plans to build PH2O at Thimblerow and not Glover Street as stated to HES.
The current PLP will be demolished to make way for 150 houses under these plans.
Timeline of events
July 19 – Perth and Kinross Council sends official letter to Historic Environment Scotland stating Glover Street is intended site of new PH2O and demolition of Perth Leisure Pool is required with plans in an “advanced” stage.
August 16 – Historic Environment Scotland publishes decision stating PLP is worthy of being listed as a category B listed building but due to communication from Perth and Kinross Council stating plans for the site are at an advanced stage, decide against listing.
August 28 – Perth and Kinross Council makes public plans which state preferred site for new leisure centre is Thimblerow, not Glover Street.
September 4 – Councillors narrowly vote through plan to build new leisure centre at Thimblerow.
What Historic Environment Scotland say
HES told The Courier it made it decision not to list the building based on the information as it was understood in July following the letter from council officials.
HES says it will reconsider any new information that would affect the decision if asked to do so.
A spokesperson for the government agency said: “We received a proposal to consider Perth Leisure Pool for listing.
“Whilst we decided that the building does meet the criteria, in light of our policy on listing and development, we decided not to list the building.
“The decision we made reflected our understanding at the time, based on information we received from Perth and Kinross Council on July 19.
“If we are asked to consider any new information which would change the outcome for Perth Leisure Pool we will be happy to do so.”
Council say letter reflects history of plan
The local authority say their July communication reflected the fact officers were instructed to carry “a site options appraisal” following a council meeting in January.
The Thimblerow option was then put to councillors in September.
A Perth and Kinross spokesperson said: “The submission to HES detailed the historic work and previous decisions (particularly 2022) that had been made by the council on the project, including their agreement to demolish the building.
“The long history of the redevelopment and decisions led to HES concluding that the council’s development proposals that were in an advanced stage and therefore it did not proceed with a listing consultation.”
Conversation