A Perth and Kinross Council department has called for a ban on music played into JD Wetherspoon’s proposed rooftop bar in Perth city centre.
Neighbouring St Matthew’s Church and local residents have also objected to the pub chain’s planning application for a new roof terrace and garden area at The Capital Asset in Tay Street.
Perth and Kinross Council’s estates team fears revellers will watch and distract local authority staff at offices in nearby 2 High Street, which is occupied by its top accountant and heads of legal and finance.
The team has raised an objection and called for a ban on background music played on the rooftop terrace. It also claims that due to Covid-19 measures staff risk being exposed to cigarette smoke from the proposed new area.
Beer garden
Wetherspoon’s plans include extending the building and creating a rooftop bar on top of the extension, in the area where the toilets currently are.
The restrooms will be moved and the kitchen extended.
A new ground floor beer garden will also be created at the side of the former bank, where the bins are currently stored.
The planning application has so far received the following objections:
Perth and Kinross Council
The council’s estates team criticised the scheme on the grounds of noise pollution, air pollution and overlooking.
Noise pollution
Officers say the proximity of the proposed rooftop terrace to occupied office spaces on the first, second, third and fourth floors at 2 High Street will cause disruption that will be “exacerbated if music is playing”.
The council’s ventilation strategies, as part of the Covid-19 pandemic response, requires the council to have windows open to manage CO2.”
Its objection added: “The council asks that no piped music is allowed to be played to the rooftop terrace.
“Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, legal services staff on the first floor had to contact Wetherspoons to ask them to turn down music when staff were taking their breaks out the back.
“Noise from an entertainment space will be disruptive to normal office business, but especially telephone calls, many of which deal with sensitive and technical matters. Staff also work beyond 5pm in this office as well.”
Air pollution
The council is concerned that smoking on the rooftop terrace may waft into council offices.
Its response added: “The council’s ventilation strategies, as part of the Covid-19 pandemic response, requires the council to have windows open to manage CO2.”
Overlooking
Officers are also concerned that users of the roof terrace will “see into the offices” and overlook the council’s car park.
The council’s correspondence said: “What is to prevent users of the roof top terrace from discarding rubbish, bottles, etc on to council employee’s vehicles and damaging these vehicles and other council property?”
Controls
The estates team also rates the bar as out of character with the conservation area and “will also have a detrimental affect to residents both in Tay Street and Watergate.”
It added: “This application, whilst beneficial to the city centre, will be detrimental to other users of surrounding buildings and therefore the council would be seeking controls to be applied to ensure that the concerns we have are addressed are met.”
St Matthew’s Church
Neighbouring St Matthew’s Church is concerned for the privacy of those occupying its holiday let and using the church garden.
Session clerk Fiona Bruce wrote: “The church flat is let out for holiday purposes and it is likely that any renters would be adversely affected by any increase in noise from the outdoor rooftop seated area.
“The latter is also likely to have an adverse impact upon future rentals as people may be deterred from choosing this flat for holiday rental as a result of any potential noise.
“There would also be the concern of the rooftop seated area overlooking the church holiday flat and thereby adversely impacting on its privacy.”
Church garden
The objection added: “The proposed outdoor rooftop seated area would also overlook the church garden where we have a memorial garden which is available for private reflection and prayer.”
Neighbours
Two neighbours have formally objected to the proposal.
Watergate resident Ashley Watson’s bedroom partly overlooks the site. She was concerned about noise and wrote that the proposed west elevation would block light from her bedroom window.
Sabina Sakarova also objected over noise and echoed the church’s stance on its holiday let.
Wetherspoon view
A report alongside the application, by Hamza Khan from Just H Architects, said “The current capacity and orientation of the existing kitchen is failing to meet the proposed demand of the current pub.
“In summary, the proposed works detailed within this document have been thoroughly considered to ensure that the impact made to the heritage of the property is kept to a minimal.
“All works within the building are careful to not intervene with the significant architectural details that make up the character of the building.”
JD Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “ Plans are in with the council and we will await their decision.
“The Capital Asset is a popular pub in Perth and Wetherspoon is committed to offering its customers the best possible facilities.
“The planned investment highlights the company’s commitment to the pub and Perth itself.”
The scheme will be determined either by the council’s planning department or by the planning committee.
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