A former MEP and leading protester against the demolition of Perth City Hall has laid out his objections as the fight to save the building enters its final stages.
James Provan said no recognition has been given to the place the hall has in the hearts of Perth folk or its importance as a historical site.
Mr Provan is chairman of the Perth City Centre Campaign, which has pitched in with an alternative proposal to create a civic square between the retained hall frontage and St John’s Kirk.
In his letter he said, “The council official’s proposal does not meet the challenges, aims or aspirations facing the city of Perth and the conclusions reached are based purely on the consultants’ economic report without any aesthetic, architectural, conservation, historic and heritage considerations being recognised or even considered.
“The report does, however, state, ‘It is not the purpose of this report to make recommendations about the symbolic, personal and social value of the city hall or its importance in the collective memory of the local population and their sense of place. Nonetheless, the council should be aware of these issues and they should be factored into the eventual decision on the future of the city hall’.
“This has not been taken into consideration.”Suitable gravitasHe said complete demolition would be a “mistake” and keeping the front would provide “suitable gravitas at the western end of the square as a counterpoint to St John’s Kirk and be a perfect partner to the kirk in defining the ends of the square” and provide more focus for the centre.
“There are many alternative scenarios available to the council and they should encourage active participation before final conclusions are arrived at,” Mr Provan added.
“The city hall is at the very heart of our town centre and the council must accept its legal responsibilities as the custodian of our listed buildings, our history and heritage. The council have not been prepared to consult with those who take an alternative view or accept a compromise and could be heading into a long delay of their own making.
“They state speed is of the essence in coming to a conclusion but they have allowed the building to stand empty and unused for five years, presumably to try and fulfil one of Historic Scotland’s criteria and claim there is no viable alternative use.”
He went on to note a recent decision on listed buildings at Murray Royal Hospital, in which a government reporter stated “no listed building should be demolished, unless it can be clearly demonstrated that every effort has been made to retain it.”
“There are many alternative scenarios available to the council and they should encourage active participation before final conclusions are arrived at,” Mr Provan said.
After the failed bid to turn the hall into an upmarket shopping centre it has lain empty and unused, and the council decided more than a year ago to back plans to knock it down. The scheme which will result in a civic square being created for community events such as markets and a winter outdoor ice rink is the only one formally placed before council planners at present.
With the matter set to be determined later this month, some protesters are pinning their hopes on Historic Scotland formally objecting because the building is listed. It had been due to respond by today but indications are it will be next week before its stance is made public.