Historic Scotland block Perth City Hall demolition
May 9 2012
In a statement the heritage organisation said: “Any application to demolish a listed building is scrutinised against the Scottish Historic Environment Policy. The policy states that no listed building should be demolished unless it has been clearly demonstrated that every effort has been made to retain it.
“As part of this policy, applicants must demonstrate that they have made a case for demolition against one of four tests. It is our belief, on the evidence presented by Perth and Kinross Council, that they have not made the case for demolition and that the alternatives have not been fully explored.
“We have advised Perth and Kinross council of the decision and would be happy to offer advice on next steps.”
Historic Scotland, which has been considering the proposals since November 2011, applies four tests to demolition requests in order to ascertain whether demolition is appropriate. These are:
- the building is not of special interest; or
- the building is incapable of repair; or
- the demolition of the building is essential to delivering significant benefits to economic growth or the wider community; or
- the repair of the building is not economically viable and that it has been marketed at a price reflecting its location and condition to potential restoring purchasers for a reasonable period.
8 Comments
#1 Posted by Trombe Wall on 9 May 2012 at 12:31 PM
Good call. Not the prettiest building and its use has been in decline since the completion of the new concert hall, however there are definitely alternative uses that haven't been explored. Looking at the proposals, the empty space was to be left open for the weekly markets. This would have created a massive windy hole in the centre of the city, romatically refered to in the masterpan as a piazza for Perth. Icy.
#2 Posted by Endless Nameless on 9 May 2012 at 12:34 PM
Well done Historic Scotland. Its about time some sense was injected into this process - the decision to demolish Perth City Hall is a shocking one from everyone involved.
#3 Posted by Partick Bateman on 9 May 2012 at 14:15 PM
Tear it down. It's useless.
Hysteric Scotland strikes again.
Hysteric Scotland strikes again.
#4 Posted by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin on 9 May 2012 at 14:59 PM
Well done Historic Scotland. Now let's see if P&K council can muster some imagination for a creative new use.
#5 Posted by Partick Bateman on 9 May 2012 at 16:11 PM
If they had an idea for a new use it would have been done by now.
#6 Posted by Big Chantelle on 9 May 2012 at 23:39 PM
Great decision.
The current building is stunning and an asset to Perth. It's a new and small city so shouldn't be tearing down so needlessly its current building stock -- especially ones of the calibre of this building.
The proposal to make a city square and leave part of the building remaining was just plain ugly.
The current building is stunning and an asset to Perth. It's a new and small city so shouldn't be tearing down so needlessly its current building stock -- especially ones of the calibre of this building.
The proposal to make a city square and leave part of the building remaining was just plain ugly.
#7 Posted by Ross on 10 May 2012 at 09:28 AM
Well done Historic Scotland, I just wish that regulating bodies were around in Glasgow in the 1960/70s-many an architectural jem was torn down as it was "useless". Only now do we realise what we lost.
As for piazzas-Scotland is miserable and wet for more than half the way-it just doesn't work here.
I am sure the building would make a fantastic museum, arts and cultural centre. I am sure Perth could do with it.
As for piazzas-Scotland is miserable and wet for more than half the way-it just doesn't work here.
I am sure the building would make a fantastic museum, arts and cultural centre. I am sure Perth could do with it.
#8 Posted by Chris Cook on 10 May 2012 at 11:49 AM
@Partick Bateman
There were several funded developer proposals for use of the building. For reasons which libel laws do not permit to be published, an unfunded proposal was adopted; duly failed; and PKC therefore decided that NO proposal was viable.
A development trust proposal can now be taken forward which will transform this building into a major public asset and attraction.
Watch this space.
There were several funded developer proposals for use of the building. For reasons which libel laws do not permit to be published, an unfunded proposal was adopted; duly failed; and PKC therefore decided that NO proposal was viable.
A development trust proposal can now be taken forward which will transform this building into a major public asset and attraction.
Watch this space.
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