Demolition objection withdrawn
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has withdrawn its objection to a former Perthshire hotel being demolished.
The Strathearn Hotel in Crieff has floors and ceilings collapsing in on themselves, with gaping holes from the top floor to the ground.
A further Dangerous Building Notice was slapped on the structure last month.
Locals want to see the eyesore torn down and a planning application has been submitted to demolish 57 King Street along with an application for temporary landscaping work on the cleared site.
However, HES challenged the application on historic and architectural grounds and wanted to at least see the facade of the building kept, causing consternation from within the community.
But following the Dangerous Building Notice, which includes the requirement for demolition of the chimney stacks to make the building safe – and an updated structural engineer’s report highlighting significant further deterioration of the building – HES has acknowledged that “this latest information appears to provide compelling evidence to show that the building is largely beyond repair and requires substantial demolition to address public safety concerns”.
In its letter to PKC, HES states: “In light of this, we would agree that there would be little merit in exploring options for at least a façade retention scheme, without the decorative chimney stacks and supporting walls being retained.
“We also acknowledge that while there is currently no viable redevelopment scheme, there is a proposal for temporary landscaping for the site, subject of planning application 21/00399/ FLL, which may provide an opportunity for a ‘meanwhile space’ contributing positively to the amenity and character of the conservation area.
“Planning authorities are expected to treat our comments as a material consideration, and this advice should be taken into account in your decision making.
“Our view is that the proposals do not raise historic environment issues of national significance and therefore we do not object.
“However, our decision not to object should not be taken as our support for the proposals. This application should be determined in accordance with national and local policy on listed building/ conservation area consent, together with related policy guidance.”