1-5 High Street, Perth; Proposed reuse of former Council Chambers and Justice of the Peace Court within hotel development

Overview

1-5 High Street in Perth City Centre is part of Perth & Kinross Council's property portfolio. Parts of the building were historically used as the Council Chambers and Justice of the Peace Court. They therefore have Common Good status. The Council wishes to consult the local community to inform taking any decision on the disposal and re-use of the asset. This is part of the requirement set out in the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.

We are keen to hear the views of the local community and to establish if there is support for the proposal to redevelop 1-5 High Street into a hotel. The redevelopment would incorporate the former Chamber area of the building and make it accessible to the general public.

Why your views matter

The Council took the decision that the building comprising 1-5 High Street was surplus to operational requirements, having been most recently used as offices and the Registrar’s Office. Following this decision, the property was marketed to establish if there would be interest for a hotel development opportunity. Proposals have come forward for that use which would incorporate the former Council Chambers and Justice of the Peace rooms.

This consultation is part of the requirement in the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 to capture the opinions of the community in the decision-making process.

When the feedback from this consultation has been collated it will be used to inform the Perth Common Good Committee and Property Sub-Committee at future dates (to be confirmed).

The 1-5 High Street Building

1-5 High Street, located on the corner of High Street and Tay Street in Perth City Centre, was constructed between 1877-1879 and extended 1895-1896. The 3- and 4-storey, category B listed building has most recently been used offices for Perth & Kinross Council and the Registrar’s office.  The building has some internal and external attractive architectural features including a vaulted ceiling and timber in the former Council Chambers and Justice of the Peace court room and the external tower feature on the south west aspect overlooking the Tay.    

Why Redevelop 1-5 High Street?

As is usual with historic buildings, they will go into decline quickly if they are left empty. The proposed hotel development in the building will give enhanced public access to heritage assets.  Sensitive appropriate re-development is proposed to the interior and exterior including preservation of the timber wall paneling, vaulted ceilings and exterior stone facade cleaning which will breathe life into the building as a quality hotel.

The Proposal

The proposal is for a 55 all-suite boutique hotel and 50-cover fine dining restaurant and events space. Key features of the historic interest will be restored and opened up to the public.

Please tell us what you think about these proposals by completing the short online survey below. We expect that this survey will take no more than 15 minutes to complete.

What happens next

The feedback from this consultation will be collated and reported to the next appropriate Common Good Committee to consider as part of the decision-making process on the re-use of the 1-5 High Street, council buildings.