Perth Show is to move to the South Inch on a permanent basis.
The agricultural fair, which has been held annually for more than 150 years, has traditionally called the Lesser South Inch home but increasingly poor ground conditions forced it to relocate across Edinburgh Road in 2013.
The Lesser South Inch has since been the subject of major renovation work to repair the ground surface and improve drainage, with large areas of grass fenced off for the last year.
Even so, following last year’s event, Perth Show organisers asked the council if the new venue could become permanent.
Perth and Kinross councillors sitting on the city’s common good fund committee agreed unanimously to the relocation.
Convener Jack Coburn, told his fellow councillors: “Last year, as you’re aware, the Perth Show was relocated from the Lesser South Inch due to flooding in recent years.
“The organisers felt this (the South Inch) was a better location and, as a result, they have requested a permanent move.
“This would come with a number of conditions imposed by the council.”
One such condition would see the organisers pay for “a discreet and robust permanent water connection” to supply the show’s needs.
Peter Barrett, councillor for Perth City Centre, said the previous change of location had benefited the show and that the Lesser South Inch would still be available for other events.
“It allowed for a much more logical layout and it was very successful,” he said.
“The organisers want to move to a better location and I think we should facilitate that.
“The suggestion is that we may have mis-spent money bringing it (the lesser South Inch) up to standard but that was for other uses as well.”
Councillor Willie Wilson also approved the move, saying it would be “good for the show and good for the city of Perth”.
He asked what could be done to ensure the drainage problems encountered on the old site would not be repeated at the new location.
Mr Wilson said: “Compaction of the ground is an issue whether it’s the South Inch or the Lesser South Inch. We don’t want in five years to have the problem we have had.”
Andy Clegg, the community greenspace team leader, moved to assure Mr Wilson that measures would be put in place to resolve the issue.
He said: “If it looks like the ground is going to be damaged we would ask them to put in a track way. We would also ask them to reinstate the ground to our satisfaction afterwards.
“The show organisers would also be asked to reimburse us for any damage caused to the ground.”
Councillor Callum Gillies told the committee that the show’s organisers were willing to guarantee public access along the park’s paths, particularly one leading from Perth Prison to the junction between King’s Place and King Street.
He said this had been an issue following last year’s forced relocation.
Mr Gillies said: “It was closed last time and people were complaining that they couldn’t walk across the Inch. Speaking to the organisers, they have no problem with that.”
Councillors also approved the option to move the show back to its original location if necessary.