New housing plan to bring derelict Murray Royal back to life

Planning: Proposal to create up to 70 properties in refurbishment

An ambitious housing plan could breathe new life into a redundant Perth hospital.

The new owners of the vacant Murray Royal building want to build around 70 homes on the 23-acre site.

The A-listed property – the earliest surviving asylum building in Scotland – was declared surplus by NHS Tayside after the launch of the city’s new £75 million hospital in 2013.

An early plan for 250 houses was rejected and owners Rivertree Residential, which recently struck a deal to buy the site from NHS Tayside, have notified Perth and Kinross Council about an impending planning application.

The proposal is to create “up to 70” properties as part of a refurbishment project which will involve the demolition of some newer buildings.

In a letter to planners, agents for the company said: “The proposal relates to residential development at the site.

“Planning permission in principle will be sought to develop up to 70 residential dwelling houses sensitively sited in the grounds of the former Murray Royal Hospital, respecting both the listed building and landscape setting.”

The spokesman said the plan also involved converting the hospital’s Elcho and Birnam wards into flats. A historic chapel building will be retained.

“To clarify, only selective demolition of non-listed buildings across the site within the curtilage of the main hospital buildings are proposed,” the firm’s spokesman added.

The proposal will be unveiled to the public at a consultation event at the former chapel on June 22, from noon to 7pm.

Feedback will be used to shape a future application for planning consent, likely to be lodged before the end of the year.

The building was first opened as Murray Royal Asylum in 1821 and was expanded twice in its first century.

In October 2013, property group Ryden was commission to develop a masterplan for the site’s redevelopment.

A series of public meetings were held to shape the project. There were concerns from council officers and Historic Scotland to suggestions that the hospital’s Heiton wings could be demolished.

The replacement hospital was opened at a nearby site by then-First Minister Alex Salmond four years ago.

Planning permission in principle will be sought to develop upto70 residential dwelling houses sensitively sited in the grounds of the former Murray Royal Hospital

Picture: Kris Miller. The old Murray Royal buildings which could be turned into flats.