Trust objects to St Paul’s building plans
PKHT want the church fully repaired
Church St Paul’s Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust (PKHT) has slammed proposals to redevelop St Paul’s Church as “shortsighted”.
A planning application and listed building consent are currently being considered to transform the dilapidated church in Perth city centre into a public space, by removing the roof, glazing and doors and stripping out all the interior fittings and furnishings.
The building’s shell would then create an uncovered but walled outdoor space, which Perth and Kinross Council hopes to use for events such as markets.
However, PKHT lodged a six-page objection to the proposals last week, saying it would give a poor return on public investment.
The objection stated: “The trust believes that this proposal is short sighted, sets a bad precedent for treatment of the historic environment in Perth, gives a poor return on public investment in terms of cultural capital, and is a missed opportunity to generate significant social, economic and training opportunities through the regeneration of this area of Perth through a scheme to repair St Paul’s as a viable building.
“We propose that a scheme to repair St Paul’s as a usable shell should be the minimum acceptable proposal for a historic building of this nature and that the retention or remodelling of some interior features should also be considered at this stage as it will bring additional benefits in social regeneration terms and for finding new users.
“This would maintain the potential for use by markets and other activities, extend the range of users who may prefer a weather protect space, and enhance potential for future development and investment.”
One of the main points raised in the objection is over the cost of the planned redevelopment. The current plans to create a hollow shell would cost around £2.24m, however PKHT argues plans to repair the structure is only slightly more, at £2.43m.
The trust adds if the council were to push ahead with their proposal of repairing the building, they would be able to apply for greater financial grants from outside bodies such as Historic Environment Scotland or Heritage Lottery Fund.
In the objection, the heritage trust went on to list a number of points they were not happy with in the planning application.
The objection continued: “The proposal adversely affects the special interest and authenticity of the building. The proposal does not recognise or value the historic and architectural importance of the building as a complete design.
“The application does not demonstrate that the proposal represents ‘best value’ for the people of Perth or that other sources of financial support have been investigated to bridge the conservation deficit.
“The application does not satisfactorily address the existing issues of pigeons using the building as a roost and the building being a focus for anti-social behaviour.
“The application does not satisfactorily establish the precise extent and quality of the proposed works to a listed building ... [and] does not give sufficient justification for the removal of the roof, a proposal which significantly affects the special interest of the building.”
However, in their application the trust welcomes plans to repair the spire, and the clock and bell inside as part of their plans.
The objection from PKHT will now be considered by planning bosses at the local authority.