Plans submitted to demolish abandoned hotel and build 12 flats

Local business owners and visitors to city centre bemoan the derelict ‘eyesore’

Plans to demolish a derelict city centre hotel, which has been steadily caving in on itself, have been submitted to Perth and Kinross Council.

The abandoned White Horse Inn, on North William Street, has become an eyesore in Perth’s conservation area after falling out of use more than a decade ago.

The council has received a planning application to demolish the former hotel and build 12 flats in its place.

In supporting documents for the application, agent and architect Jon Frullani said: “It was advised that the demolition of the building could be supported by the council to make way for a new development, provided it was justified.

“The building has previously been marketed to no success and is currently on the ‘buildings at risk’ register.”

In 2007, planning permission was granted to demolish the hotel and build a block of 15 flats but construction never started.

The building was extensively damaged by fires in 2013 and 2016.

A structural inspection of the hotel following the later fire found the timber roof had partially collapsed and, along with the first floor, was not suitable for re-use.

Perth and Kinross Council was put under pressure recently to take action over the eyesore, which had been attracting unwanted attention from visitors to the city.

Lynda Wilson, whose Elegance millinery shop is next to the White Horse Inn, said she was “fed up” apologising to tourists about the state of the building.

Ms Wilson said: “It’s moving all the time. We’ve been watching it since the fire and you can see that the top floor is collapsing inwards.

“People are stopping to take photos of it because it looks so strange.”

A council spokesperson said the building was being monitored by the building standards team and was last inspected in February.

They said: “The building appears to be in similar condition now as it was earlier this year, however another inspection will be carried out to ensure that public safety is maintained.”

“If any action is required, it is the responsibility of the owner of any building to ensure it is in a good state of repair and to address any problems.”

People are stopping to take photos of it because it looks so strange.

LYNDA WILSON, LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER