Is Aberdeen poll a model for Perth?

The most recent local planning referendum took place in Aberdeen in 2012.

The north east city had been offered £50 million by oil tycoon Sir Ian Wood to redevelop Union Terrace Gardens but there was a public backlash from those who backed other plans.

More than 86,000 people took part in the vote which narrowly defeated Sir Ian’s plans.

Perth City Hall has now been vacant for 11 years but Councillor Ian Miller has said he is optimistic of a “quick solution” emerging without the need for a public ballot.

Speculation has been rife that the council’s desire for a cultural attraction to capitalise on the opening of the V&A in Dundee could provide the answer to what to do with the hall, following years of insisting it should be knocked down to make room for a civic square.

Hopeful that the matter can be resolved in the near future council leader Mr Miller said: “At this stage we must await the outcome of the options appraisal which is currently being carried out by Jim Valentine, depute chief executive.

“If more than one viable option emerges from that review then I cannot rule out the possibility of a plebiscite, although I consider that such an outcome is very unlikely.

“We would also need to carefully consider the cost of such an exercise which, based on the recent evidence of the referendum on Aberdeen City Centre, could be prohibitively expensive.

“I am certainly not considering that course of action before the outcomes of the appraisal are considered by council.

“It may be, for example, that only one viable option comes forward in which case such a process would be rendered unnecessary.”

The future of the city hall has already gone before the people of Perth and Kinross.

Shortly after the building became redundant due to the opening of nearby Perth Concert Hall, a design competition was held to determine its future.

A shopping centre scheme submitted by Wharfside Developments was chosen but the economic downturn took hold soon afterwards and the project was abandoned.

Objectors maintained that process was flawed in any case.