Proposals to transform Perth City Hall into a luxury hotel have been backed by Historic Scotland.
Just days after telling Perth and Kinross Council it would not grant permission for demolition, the government agency has lent its support to developers hoping to save the building.
The Seventy Group hopes to retain the Edwardian building and convert it into a five-star boutique establishment.
Full details and designs have yet to be made public, but director Simon Wilson has been in talks with the local authority since December.
In a letter to planning officials, a senior officer from Historic Scotland expressed interest in the hotel proposals.
She wrote: “We very much welcome this application, which seeks to retain and adapt the B-listed Perth City Hall for a new use. The interventions proposed are clear to understand and appear to be as minimal as can be to enable hotel use.
“Thus with this scheme, the most significant elements of the city hall would still be retained. We also envisage that this conversion scheme would bring the potential added value of significant economic benefits to the city centre.”
Although he said a feasibility study, business plan and economic viability statement are currently being prepared, Kinross-based property developer Mr Wilson remained tight-lipped on the plans.
What is known however, is that the Perth City Grand Hotel will feature 32 high-class bedroom suites, a fine-dining restaurant and a rooftop terrace bar and eatery.
With two applications currently awaiting consideration The Seventy Group’s hotel plans and Perth City Market Trust’s proposals for an indoor market conservationists have demanded that these are given “every opportunity” to progress.
A second attempt by Perth and Kinross Council to demolish the building and replace it with a civic square has failed to find favour with locals.
More than 2300 individual letters of objection were submitted earlier this month and The Prince’s Regeneration Trust is among those who wish to retain the building.
Chief executive Ros Kerslake wrote: “The role of historic buildings in urban regeneration is a vital one and the importance of an attractive built environment as a generator of economic wealth and social wellbeing is well recognised by decision-makers.
“We feel that to demolish a historic building, clearly capable of reuse and where there are options for reuse currently presented, would result in a missed opportunity for Perth.
“Given that there are now detailed proposals for both a 5-star hotel and the existing market hall scheme, we feel a strong partnership approach from key stakeholders could result in a very positive outcome for both the City Hall and Perth itself.”
Meanwhile, Perth MP Pete Wishart has called for an end to the whole saga.
He said: “I can understand the desire of those involved in built heritage to see the City Halls building retained and I know that these plans are being advanced by a local company who are building a reputation for developing old buildings, but I am concerned that we are just opening yet another chapter in a very long saga that should, by now, have reached its conclusion.
“What will the response be from Historic Scotland should this proposal prove infeasible?
“Are the plans that the local council have developed to be put aside every time some other group decides they have a plan to use the building?
“The problem is that all that we have seen so far in terms of alternative schemes for the City Halls has been long on dreams and very short on a solid business case.”