While the current Perth and Kinross Council is pressing ahead with plans to demolish Perth City Hall, its predecessor authority described the building as being “of great architectural significance and beauty”.
The high esteem with which the listed Edwardian building was held by Perth and Kinross District Council is revealed in a promotional leaflet dating from the mid-90s.
The change of stance over the years has been seized on by objectors to the demolition plans which would see the hall replaced by a civic square in the heart of Perth.
“How can Perth City Hall go from being a building of great architectural significance and beauty to a redundant structure ready for the scrap heap in 15 years?” asked the local man who unearthed the leaflet.
“It doesn’t make any sense and I think the attitude of the previous local authority should be weighed up by Historic Scotland when they have to consider any application for demolition.”
The leaflet was produced by Perth and Kinross District Council in 1995/96 as a promotional device for the hire of the hall and lesser hall.’Focal point of Perth’It praises the hall, saying: “Together with the Kirk of St John, it forms the focal point of central Perth, and, seen from the Mercat Cross in King Edward Street, it is appreciated at its majestic best.
“Perth City Hall is the premier civic facility in Perth and Kinross District. A previous hall, built in 1844, had to be demolished to accommodate the new building which would, in the words of the then lord provost ‘remain for centuries’.
“The impressive facade is best viewed from the Mercat Cross in King Edward Street and viewers should note the impressive pillars, sculptures and stonework detail around the side windows.”
The description of the facade is particularly important, say objectors to demolition, as they have been calling for retention of at least the front section of the hall for possible use as a tourist or heritage information centre.
Once a popular venue for political conferences, concerts and community events the hall, built in 1911, was deemed surplus to requirements after the opening of Perth Concert Hall.
Plans to see the building retained and converted into a shopping centre granted permission in 2005 foundered during the recession and the building has lain empty ever since.
The proposal for partial retention of some of the city hall has already been dismissed by the council as a non-starter and they claim that there has been limited public backing for such an option.
Asked about the publicity material, the council said: “As the leaflet was published by a previous local authority it is difficult for us to comment on its contents.”
However, times have changed since the mid 1990s and Perth now has a new concert hall. Perth and Kinross Council believes a new city square will provide a flexible public space that will deliver greater cultural and economic benefits than the city hall building could.
They also pointed out the old district council went on to agree to demolish the hall in January 1996 as part of Millennium Square plans that eventually came to nothing.
Councillors will decide next month whether to approve demolition and Historic Scotland would then give their view. The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland have said they have no objections.