A new role for police station?

Blair building deemed as‘ under used’ by charrette

Blairgowrie police station could get a new lease of life if ideas highlighted as part of the charrette process in the town come to fruition.

The centrally-located building on Ericht Lane was identified by the charrette report as a potentially key building in plans to revitalise Blairgowrie and Rattray, perhaps through being developed as a cultural and heritage centre.

Suggestions for the prominent building included a scaleddown version of the Ericht Trust’s proposals for the site of the former Hill Primary School on Upper Allan Street. That site has now been sold by Perth and Kinross Council to a Crieff-based residential property developer, Corryard.

The police station was once a hub of law enforcement activity in the area and a base for dozens of officers, but has seen a dramatic decrease in staffing levels in recent years, particularly since the front desk closed in April, 2014.

The £32,000 charrette process - which has been organised by Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council (BRCC) in collaboration with Perth and Kinross Council - got under way earlier this year with a four-day consultation event.

The appointed consultants published the results of their study which identify a number of areas for improvement - including looking at vacant, derelict and under-used premises in the town.

At a follow-up event held last week in Blairgowrie Town Hall, members of BRCC led a number of discussion groups looking at four specific areas highlighted by the report’s findings.

Other suggestions for buildings that would be ideal for redevelopment were the premises on Tannage Street owned by the Angus Hotel. Ideas for their potential re-use included a museum or visitor attraction with indoor facilities that could be a focus for the start of the Cateran Trail, with information on walking routes, cycling routes and local wildlife among other items.

A need for indoor play facilities for children, with adult relaxation space, for a focal point for local arts and crafts, workshops and galleries, and for a heritage centre for the berries, mills, print works and renowned local figures such as Hamish Henderson were also

identified. Ideas for a purpose-built community cinema, a meeting space and activity centre for local groups such as the Brownies and Scouts, a genealogy centre and bunkhouse accommodation were also discussed.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said that the force was“committed to working with communities to consider how we best deliver policing services to reflect their priorities”.

The spokesperson added:“Many police buildings no longer match current operational requirements, so we are looking at our estate to assess the best options for our accommodation needs within our communities. This includes consultation with a number of key partners and local community groups.

“In the case of Blairgowrie we plan to maintain our operational station, but there is scope to make better use of the building and discussion has taken place on how we can use it to help meet wider community needs.”

Myra Shearer, vice-chair of the Ericht Trust, represented the organisation at a meeting about the police station between Police Scotland, local councillor Caroline Shiers, representatives from Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council and Perth and Kinross Council officers.

She said:“The police station was identified as one of the key buildings in the town during the charrette process. The Ericht Trust was represented at a meeting to assess its potential.

“The building is very central with car parks all around and sufficient space to act as a focal point for the town.

“There is the possibility of developing this building into an arts centre and using it as the central point for events, something that is lacking at present.

“An existing art group or literary group would need to take the lead in this process but could be assisted by established groups to research costs and apply for grants.

“This is a role that the Ericht Trust could play.”

Councillor Shiers added:“I attended a meeting with representatives of Police Scotland and the community council as the police station was identified as an‘under used’building.

“It was a very useful discussion and moving forward we all hope to see an improved police presence in the town and if we can couple this with use of parts of the building which might be able to be used as a community facility then it would be fantastic.

“I am committed to playing a full role in exploring all options along with the police and other parties.”