Plans to turn Victorian building into flats given nod of approval

Property developers have been given permission to renovate a derelict V ictor ian bu i ld ing overlooking Perth City Hall.

Council planners agreed to the proposal to turn the four storey building at the rear of Café Biba into seven flats.

Bridge of Allan-based Malcolm Parry Architects submitted the proposals to Per th and Kinross Council . They were approved, despite a couple of objections from neighbours.

Architects say the traditional building , thought to be 130 years old, has been in “urgent need of repair” after years of neglect and that the roof is showing signs of “rapid deterioration”.

One resident wrote to Perth and Kinross Council requesting that the close entrance not be linked to the existing flats above Café Biba and accessed via King Edward Street.

Developers confirmed the front door will face on to St John’s Place, parallel to the southern face of the city hall.

Another objected to the number of flats but planners said they had no issues after consulting with various bodies and council departments.

Workers are already upgrading the city hall which it is hoped will provide a new home for the Stone of Destiny.

Perth and Kinross Council is spending tens of millions of pounds upgrading the 106-yearold hall into a museum.

The pedestrianised roads around the premises in Perth’s café quarter are also being relaid in the hope it will help bring a new lease of life to the St John’s Place area.

The site at the rear of Café Biba will be renovated.