Campaign group claims economic case for Perth City Hall demolition collapses under scrutiny
Objectors to plans to replace Perth City Hall with a civic square say claimed economic benefits are ''pure speculation''.
The Perth City Centre Campaign has previously released sketches of its favoured option, which would retain a section of the City Hall.
- By Richard Burdge
- Published in the Courier : 16.09.11
- Published online : 16.09.11 @ 11.37am
Perth City Centre Campaign (PCCC) members, who would like to see a section of the listed Edwardian building retained, enlisted the services of a ''forensic accountant'' who has concluded the projections put forward by the council to back up their plan do not stack up.
''Based on current 'guesstimates', total demolition of the city hall would be an act of cultural vandalism that would deprive Perth of a historic building, a valuable piece of real estate and a great asset for the future,'' said former MEP James Provan, chairman of the PCCC.
The attack on the council's perceived benefits of demolition is the latest chapter in a war of words between those who see the hall as a redundant burden and those who regard the venue with great affection.
Councillors will meet in a month's time to discuss whether to demolish the hall and build a square, and if they favour this option — as expected — Historic Scotland will step in to have their say on its future.
The council defended the civic square plan, saying it would bring ''significant benefits to economic growth'' if approved.
Outlining the PCCC's position, Mr Provan said: ''Perth City Centre Campaign was originally formed to try to find a compromise for those wishing to preserve the city hall, and those who sought total demolition.
''We strongly believe that we have achieved that objective and at the same time have pushed the idea of creating a 'city centre' of which the people of Perth could be proud.
''There is no doubt in the minds of those in the group that with properly focused use (of the western part of the building to be retained), a city centre and an open square will add significantly to the overall economic benefit of our area.
''According to the Perth and Kinross officials' report, the option for total demolition and re-use of the site as a civic square/public space creates 'greater quantifiable benefits' to the local economy than any of the alternative options.
''The conclusion of the Locum Consulting report is, in our opinion, flawed when suggesting that full demolition and the creation of a civic square is a 'clear winner under the adopted appraisal exercise' because the partial demolition option calculations fail to recognise the value generated to the local economy by the residual square.''
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12.45pm - 16.09.2011 Kenny Millar - Perth, Scotland Report This
I,m sick of hearing about the future of this city hall do we realy want another building to go like the church at the bottom of the old high street its had is time lets move on with something new and make Perth and better place to visit and something new to enjoy.
01.01pm - 16.09.2011 Patrick - Perth, uk Report This
I quite like the City Hall as it is. Wouldn't mind if it was demolished and replaced by a nice open area with some ornamental trees and a fountain. It would open up the area for the various markets and occasional buskers. As for benefits, I doubt they'd filter through to our housing estates.
04.49pm - 16.09.2011 Olaf - Dundee, UK Report This
It's an ugly building that has no function. It'll actually cost a lot of money to keep it there especially if it's unused and empty. Better to empty the space and have a civic square that might actually be a positive feature. Though I do think the current proposals are a bit uninspiring.
05.05pm - 16.09.2011 Charles - PH, Scotland Report This
A historic asset, not to be wasted. Good for new tourist and local civic info and flats, as with Rosslyn House.
11.44am - 19.09.2011 CHRIS - Blairgowrie, UK Report This
This is absolute nonsense. Perth is rapidly become a miniscule little backwater because of the simple mindedness of a lot of its residents. No wonder most people go to Dundee or Stirling as Perth has little to inspire. Please get rid of this eyesore and bring the town into the 21st century
11.43am - 20.09.2011 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
The new look High street is hardly inspiring.As for the residents being simple minded I think they choose to ignore grandstanding council statements by gettting on with their lives ,whether heading off to Stirling ect to shop or advising their adult children to realise their potential elsewhere
01.21pm - 21.09.2011 vincent price - birkenhead, england Report This
think of the men that built this building the back breaking work of the stonemasons who stud back looked on thinking they had built something that would inspire people for a 1000 years. winston churchil said we shape are buildings and are buildings shape us how will a empty space inspire people
12.52pm - 27.09.2011 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
Vincent maybe it's more about PKC's (,judging by things they are happy to fund without moaning about fiscal restraints)aspirations to become some faux European Capital City of Culture or is the populence expected to be inspired to embrace PKC's overarching vision of itself ..ruling by divine right.
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