The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Remembrance sadly is not set in stone
Sir, – The planning department in Perth and Kinross, under devolved powers, has approved the demolition of St Andrews Church in Atholl Street, Perth.
Quite apart from the loss of another fine feature in Perth’s urban landscape the planners have refused to include a condition that the developers conserve and relocate the two fine stone First World War memorials within the church – despite the issue being formally raised by me in a comment on the planning application.
The planning officer concerned advised me that he is in dialogue with the developers about the preservation of the memorials but admitted that they will have no enforcement powers should the developers fail to find a solution.
Two other bodies whom one would have imagined to have an interest in these memorials are Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and Culture PK, who operate the museums service.
Apparently the trust has an agreement with the council which restricts their comments on planning applications to archaeological surveys and standing surveys. I doubt very much that the general public understands the restriction of their role.
Culture PK not only operate the museums service but have been actively promoting “Perth and Kinross Remembers” to commemorate the centenary of the Great War. Two requests to their chief executive for short term support towards a solution have elicited no response whatsoever.
One final thought. On Remembrance day in November the provost, councillors and chief officials of Perth and Kinross will parade to St John’s Kirk to commemorate the sacrifice of the men and women of the area who died in the First World War – at the same time as the diggers demolish St Andrews Church, and possibly these two memorials. Oh the irony. Hugh Macrae. Perth Road, Dundee.