Councillor condemns scaffolding removal at St Paul’s
Concerns over public safety
A councillor has condemned the actions of St Paul’s Church owners after they ordered the removal of scaffolding put in place around the crumbling building to protect the public from falling masonry.
Perth and Kinross Council issued a statement on Tuesday stating it had become “aware” that workmen had started taking down the scaffolding from the city building – adding that it had dispatched regulatory staff to investigate the actions.
A spokesperson for the local authority, which just last month announced it intends to buy the B-listed building and turn it into a new arts venue, stressed that until the deal is completed the building and its upkeep remains the responsibility of its owners.
It is understood St Paul’s is still owned by a company called Arengate Ltd which, according to documents recently lodged with Companies House, now has a new director, Alistair Rowley Glasgow, who replaces James Francis Boyd, who apparently resigned in November last year.
The council
Cllr Barrett spokesperson added that staff who attended the site this week were told that temporary fencing put in place around the church would keep members of the public at a safe distance to minimise the risk of people being struck by falling debris in the meantime.
But the decision to take down the scaffolding has angered Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett.
The Liberal Democrat elected member said “This is another sorry chapter in Arengate’s ownership of St Paul’s and I won’t be sorry to see them go.
“I was concerned that Arengate would remove the scaffolding without giving the council proper notice and now those fears have been brought to life.
“Back in 2015 it took them weeks to erect the scaffolding and they did so only under pressure from the council and after the council intervened to put safety fencing round the building.
“We need proper assurances from building inspectors that there is no imminent danger to the public from falling masonry.
“I am not convinced that merely retaining the perimeter fencing adequately protects members of the public.
“The sooner that negotiations for the council to acquire St Paul’s are concluded the better and Arengate must be held responsible for public safety until they dispose of St Paul’s.”
A PKC spokesperson said: “We’re aware that scaffolding installed around the privately owned St Paul’s Church has been removed.
“Regulatory staff have spoken to the company removing the scaffolding, who have assured us that fencing to secure the area and protect the public will remain in place, and loose materials removed.
“The council is at an advanced stage of negotiations to buy the building, however, until these are concluded responsibility for maintaining the B-listed building remains with the current owners.
“We are in contact with the owner to remind them of these responsibilities. Once the scaffolding is removed we will reassess the site as a matter of priority and take further action as required.” Perth’s St Paul’s Church