Council clarifies reason for demolition plan

A council officer has had to clarify the purpose of an application the local authority lodged to demolish a city centre building after it sparked confusion among workers.

Perth and Kinross Council’s head of property Stephen Crawford and project officer Marc Young filed an application to demolish 15-19 Watergate back in May so that a new “events and festival-related space” could be constructed in its place.

A report supporting the proposed demolition completed by council property man Ken McKay stated it was “understood” at the time the building was “surplus to PKC’s requirements” and went on to conclude it was in “a very poor condition”.

Pointing out it had lost part of its roof during storms two years ago, its steelwork was corroding because of exposure to the elements and its gable walls were cracking, the report added “serious consideration should be given to demolition of the building.”

However it appears later in August the council’s environment team grew concerned about the kinds of events and festivals they were under the impression might end up being held at the site once the building was demolished.

Documents just published on the local authority’s website reveal environmental health officer Lynne Reid had to write to Mr Young asking what exactly was being proposed for the site, forcing him to have write back clarifying the space was not being considered for events or festivals at all.

He told Ms Reid: “The proposed use will be for storage of materials etc. during events such as the Christmas market or farmers market.

“We are not proposing this site to be used for anything like a performance area or for food stalls due to the neighbouring properties being mainly residential.

“Times of operation would be 9am-5pm seven days a week. But the likely use would be for only a small number of days throughout the year, it would not be every week.”

The application is still awaiting a decision from the council’s planning team.