The ongoing impasse over the future of a Perth beauty spot has been blamed firmly on the site’s owners, Scotland’s Garden Trust.
Councillors reacted angrily as it was revealed on Wednesday that £350,000 earmarked for work on Cherrybank Gardens will have to be carried forward to next year “pending a review of the project.”
The popular gardens have been controversially closed since spring 2008 after the collapse of the Scotland’s Garden “Calyx” project when a bid for £25 million in Lottery funding failed.
The ambitious scheme was headed by Beechgrove Garden host, Jim McColl, an SGT board member. It had been thought the gardens would be “gifted” back to the people of Perth for restoration and reopening but no movement has been made.
Meanwhile, the adjacent buildings have been placed on the open market for sale and an insider revealed the once-resplendent site is falling into disrepair.
He said, “People would be shocked if they could see what Cherrybank looks like now compared to what it used to be. Things like the wee bridge have become rotten and displaced and there are beautiful features that have lain untouched since it closed.
“It’s really sad to see such a lovely thing being wasted like this and the people involved have to get round the table and sort it out for everyone’s sakes.”
At the meeting of the strategic policy and resources committee, Councillor Archie MacLellan in whose ward the site sits said the public should be under no illusions over who he thinks is to blame.
He said, “This debate is one which we cannot ignore. Cherrybank Gardens was one of the jewels in Perth’s crown and was well used by local people and visitors.’Horticultural vandalism'”We left it in the care of Scotland’s Garden Trust, which included on its board one of the most responsible and influential gardeners in the country.
“What has happened there can only be described as horticultural vandalism and it’s high time we reached an amicable solution. But we must place on record where the fault lies with SGT.
“Senior officials, (political) groups leaders and local members have worked extremely hard to find a solution to keep it in what was its former state.”
Fellow South Perth member, Alexander Stewart, said, “I’m aware councillors have been very actively involved in progressing this and it is still not progressing and we receive comments from constituents about it.
“We have to give them answers but it seems to me there is a complete logjam. I firmly put the blame on SGT for this debacle and delay.”
Willie Wilson, an administration South Perth councillor, said talks are ongoing with SGT and Live Active Leisure which would run Cherrybank if transferred to public ownership. He said a report will come before council at the end of March regarding the matter.
Scotland’s Garden Trust could not be reached for comment.