April 7 2006

The St Peter’s Building Preservation Trust has uncovered interesting information about the internal discussion within Historic Scotland regarding the future of the A-listed building. Following a request under the Freedom of Information Act, the trust has discovered two independent reports, one commissioned by Argyll and Bute Council, the other by Historic Scotland, reviewing the current planning application submitted by the Archdiocese of Glasgow for works to St Peter’s Seminary at Cardross. A report by Ryden for Historic Scotland argues that the cost plan submitted as part of the application is not robust. While the applicant has investigated possible work in relation to asbestos removal, it may have under-estimated costs for other works. A Montagu Evans report for Historic Scotland is equally critical, concluding: “The stabilization proposals by Classical House Limited are arbitrary, without appearing to result from any clear or objective assessment of any conservation imperatives.”
The Montague Evans report proposes that the Archdiocese draws up a conservation plan for the buildings. Historic Scotland has offered to fund a conservation plan and the Archdiocese has begun a dialogue with the Twentieth Century Society about the plan.
In the same documents released by Historic Scotland there is a record of a discussion between civil servants in which Ranald MacInnes proposes that Historic Scotland embark on the process of acquiring St Peter’s.

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