Heritage watchdog won’t object to Murray Royal plan

Scotland’s heritage watchdog has said it won’t stand in the way of controversial plans to redevelop an old psychiatric hospital in Perth.

Developers have lodged proposals to transform the former Murray Royal building into 58 flats, with a further 70 new-build houses in the grounds.

However, the plan, unveiled by owners Rivertree Residential, has come up against opposition from locals.

Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council is one of about 30 objectors.

A spokesman for the group described the project as a “gross over-development”, claiming the new homes would lead to gridlocked traffic, particularly at the already problematic Bridgend junction.

However, Historic Environment Scotland – whose predecessors stepped in to save Perth City Hall from demolition – has confirmed it is not opposed to the plan.

A spokesman said: “We have taken a holistic view of the works proposed within the entire site.

“We have concluded that the proposals do not raise historic environment issues of national significance, and, therefore, do not object to any aspects of the proposal.”

He added: “We consider that the impact of the proposed development on the setting of the A-listed building is likely to be greater than negligible.

“However, we do not consider that this impact is of such magnitude as to warrant an objection.”

Objectors have questioned a transport assessment submitted on behalf of the developers which suggests “minimal impact” on local roads.

Agents for Rivertree Residential said the masterplan “has evolved to respond to the constraints and opportunities across the site, and is considered to achieve development potential while protecting the existing sensitive features of the historic hospital building and its landscape surroundings.”

The 22-acre site, near the redeveloped new hospital, is one of the last greenfield plots in Perth.