Businesswoman Ann Gloag has resurrected plans to demolish an increasingly derelict Perth city centre hotel.
Ms Gloag wants to raze the Waverley Hotel in York Place to expand the community use of the adjacent Trinity Church of the Nazarene, of which she and her brother, Stagecoach chairman Sir Brian Souter, are members.
Ms Gloag has claimed the transformation of the hotel, which was once a magnet for visitors to the Fair City, would “assist” those with drug and alcohol issues.
After a recent history which has seen the listed hotel controversially used as a homeless refuge before closing its doors in August 2011, the building has degenerated into an eyesore.
A previous plan submitted by Ms Gloag to demolish the hotel to build a hall and flats was submitted in May 2013 but later withdrawn.
It was put on the market in January this year but failed to attract sufficient interest.
As a result, following meetings with the local authority, the latest plan has been proposed.
The case for demolition has been drawn up by Denholm Partnership Architects on behalf of Bonhard Leasing LLP, of which Ms Gloag is a director.
It claims that the setting of the neighbouring church and AK Bell Library on the opposite side of the road is “let down” by the “derelict” appearance of the Waverley Hotel.
The document states: “Demolishing these buildings creates an opportunity to form a striking new building which respects the importance of this major access point in Perth, whilst also enhancing the character of the area.”
At a meeting in July between Ms Gloag and senior council chiefs, she had said Trinity Church of the Nazarene was being reconfigured back to its original form, and this move goes “hand-in-hand” with the need to provide a new hall.
The businesswoman also revealed the church was not able to take Heritage Lottery funding from a “moral point of view” as this was viewed as “proceeds of gambling.”
The revised plans would see a new lobby, multi-use hall and gym to develop more sport and fitness-related programmes.
They would link the community and not be solely for the church congregation.
The document states: “This will have a positive impact on the wider community as a whole by providing a valuable support service to the more vulnerable members of the community.”
It continues: “The vision for the gym facility is that this will be included in the rehabilitation programme.
“The intention is that this will also be available to the public on a low-cost membership basis.
“The new kitchen facilities will permit an enhanced daily lunch club for both struggling families and the homeless.”
A spokesman for Bonhard Leasing LLP said: “Following positive discussions with Perth and Kinross Council planners over the last year, we are pleased to re-submit plans for the regeneration of this gateway site.
“In conjunction with various works to Trinity Church, the regeneration will provide a centre to match the needs of this growing congregation for the foreseeable future and develop further its social rehabilitation and support programme that meets the needs in a much wider community,” he continued.
An application for listed building consent has also been lodged with the local authority.