Q5 Interview

For our first Q5 Interview, Athole Murray Fleming talks to Roland Bean - Head of Planning, Perth and Kinross Council.

Q1

The old City Hall development seems to have been dragging on for a long time without anything happening. What is going on?

The developer proposed changes to the approved plans which required a submission of a fresh application. The application was approved, but had to be referred to Historic Scotland because it involved changes to a Listed Building. Historic Scotland has only just confirmed that they are content with the changes, so the developer is now free to proceed.

Q2

The plans for Mill Street and a new retail avenue linking the High Street to the Concert Hall, has stirred a lot of debate in the local press. What is exactly is being planned by the council?

The Council have just approved plans for the creation of a new shopping street on the site of Woolworths and the former Department of Works and Pension building in Mill Street. This will provide much needed new quality retail space in the heart of the city centre and hopefully reduce retail 'leakage' to other centres which currently have a much wider range of shops than Perth.

It is also the next phase in our long-term plans to redevelop the former industrial area lying to the north of Mill Street; so far we have converted the Listed parts of the former Pullars building into offices (Pullar House), and affordable housing, have constructed the multi-storey car park to serve city centre and the Concert Hall and, of course, constructed the award-winning Concert Hall.

As well as providing more shops, this new scheme will provide improved pedestrian links between the Concert Hall, the car park and the High Street and sort out the urban blight we currently have on the south side of Mill Street, including the rear view of the Woolworth building. The scheme will also give the Concert Hall a proper setting and a pedestrianised frontage for the first time.

Q3

St. Paul's church has been an eyesore for quite a few years now, and many would say that Perth does not need yet another pub. Any news on the horizon?

St Paul's, though in a poor state of repair, is an important Listed Building and an important landmark looking west along High Street. Finding a new use for the building is proving a challenge. Planning permission has been granted to convert it to a 'real ale, wine and food bar' and I think this would be a good use for the new building if it is the means of restoring it as a part of Perth's heritage and giving the opportunity for the public to enjoy the interesting spaces within it.

Q4

Okay I am going to be a little cheeky here. St Johns Street is full of period buildings, yet the council opted for contemporary lighting, artworks, street furniture, all mostly in grey stone, like any other town precinct. Bearing in mind that retailers are often told what they can and can't do with their exteriors, I think this was a missed opportunity to create a unique and atmospheric street based on the existing architecture, what do you think?

I disagree! St John Street is a superb piece of late Georgian town planning and architecture and I believe the streetscape improvements the Council has carried out compliment the street. We have used the highest quality materials and tried to reinterpret the traditional street though the use of paving slabs and cobbles but to make them easier to walk on. As you say, the street furniture is contemporary, but of good design and good construction and has created its own atmosphere.

I don't think it like other town precincts; it is far better!

Q5

How do you see the architecture and lay-out or Perth developing in the next twenty years?

Perth will certainly change and develop over the next twenty years. Perth and Kinross is now predicted to become the fastest growing part of Scotland over the next 20 years and a lot of that growth will be in, or more likely, around Perth, because Perth itself has really reached its natural boundaries.

My aim would be to encourage the sustainable growth of Perth, but to protect the quality of the built environment of the 'Fair City' at the same time. We need to protect the best of our heritage, but embrace change and modern new architecture at the same time.