The events of May 14 could decide once and for all the future of Perth City Hall.
The Courier understands that councillors will deliver their verdict on ambitious plans to convert the listed building into a five-star hotel on that judgment day.
A report detailing the proposals for the creation of ‘The Perth City Grand’ will go before elected members at a meeting of the development management committee.
Though it is not known what stance they will take, it is understood that the bid previously decried as pie in the sky by some is being taken seriously by the local authority.
Planning chiefs could recommend that consent be granted for the plan, though that would still not tie Perth and Kinross Council’s colours to the mast.
It remains possible that the council may have to market the hall once again should it accept the viability of alternatives to demolition.
Moreover, it is understood that the application for listed building consent to level the city hall and create a civic square remains pencilled-in to be considered at another meeting in June.
The prospects for demolition championed by a number of councillors and local figures such as retail boss John Bullough and MP Pete Wishart may depend on the outcome of the hotel meeting.
They took a blow last month as Historic Scotland broke its silence to express its excitement at the Seventy Group’s five-star vision and question any move to demolish the hall while a viable alternative was on the table.
The ambitious hotel proposals only came to light in February, in the wake of a failed bid to speak at the meeting at which the Perth City Market Trust’s plans for a food hall were rejected.
From those unpromising beginnings, the hotel has become the most likely saviour of the city hall, which has been closed since 2005 when the newly-completed Perth Concert Hall assumed many of its functions.
The applicants believe it could safeguard the future of the city hall and support and create hundreds of jobs.
It would also offer Perth much-needed new hotel accommodation of a level not available in the city centre.
Contacted about the approaching D-Day, the Seventy Group’s Simon Wilson said his hope was to secure preferred bidder status.
“We have had to provide the council with detailed information to back up our claims about this development’s financial viability,” he said.
“We believe these have been very robust and the council must be content as they are now taking the proposals to committee, following their scrutiny by a third party.”
The hotel proposed would offer 32 bedroom suites the number has been limited in order to “best-fit” the existing building and its features each en suite and offering a separate lounge, while a number would also have access to private terraces overlooking the city.
In addition to the bedroom suites, the hotel would include a ground floor restaurant within the former lesser hall and a rooftop bar/terrace restaurant, each offering 80 to 100 covers.
In its application, the developer makes clear its belief the proposals will enhance the “character, appearance and vibrancy of Perth City Centre and deliver a unique and highly desirable facility for visitors to Perth, and to the surrounding area,” the supporting statement goes on to say.