A dilapidated city centre building on a site developers want to transform into a four-storey hotel is a “danger to the public” and was ordered to be torn down seven months ago.
The old Clachan Bar and Quality Cafe buildings on South Methven Street are the subject of planning applications to transform the site into a new venue.
Applicant Tariq Fayez of London-based Urban Plan Consultants had an intial application - lodged in July last year - to take down the eyesore buildings and build a hotel on the site refused because planning officials said he had not provided enough detailed information about the proposal.
The local authority said in a report of handling: “The lack of any detailed information regarding the design, materials and form of the building and the information provided in the indicative plans suggest that the proposed building would be of detriment to the setting of the listed buildings to the north and south of the site, together with impacting detrimentally on the character and appearance of the Perth Conservation Area.”
But now it has emerged the council wrote to Mr Fayez just three months after refusing this planning application for the site warning him one of the buildings had been judged a danger to the public and instructing him to arrange to have it completely demolished by July 21 this year.
A second application to demolish the buildings and develop the site was lodged earlier this year and is still awaiting a decision from the local authority.
In a letter to the developer, dated October 21 last year, PKC building standards team leader Russell Watson said: “I write to you in response to concerns reported to us regarding the overall condition of the two adjacent properties at [10-14 South Methven Street].
“We believe you are the owner of the former Clachan Bar, 10-12 South Methven Street.
“I contacted you via email on August 26, 2021 to relay our concerns relating to the condition of these buildings, but it appears that no further progress has been made [to] bring them into a safe condition.
“As mentioned in my previous email a structural engineer, Allen Gordon LLP, was appointed by PKC to carry out an assessment of this building.
“Their recommendation was that the buildings have deteriorated to a point a repair is not likely possible and that demolition was the only long term solution to ensure public safety.
“I am writing to advise, as the owner, it is your responsibility to ensure the building does not pose a risk to the health and safety of the public.
“As the building poses a danger to the public, the council has a duty to serve a dangerous building notice under section 29 and 30 of the [Building (Scotland) Act 2003].
“This notice requires you to demolish the building by the date specified. In the interim period, it is your responsibility to ensure that regular inspection and monitoring takes place to ensure the safety of the public.”
The letter added: “Due to the relationship between your property and the adjacent former Quality Cafe building, you will likely need to co-ordinate a demolition with the owner of the adjacent property. I can assist in forwarding correspondence to them if required.”
The letter concluded: “It should be noted that the period specified in the notice is in relation to the current condition of the buildings and should further deterioration occur over the coming few months a further notice may be served.”
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson told the PA: "We served a Dangerous Building Notice on October 21, 2021 to the owner of the former Clachan Bar, requiring that demolition works commence by April 21, 2022 and be completed by July 21, 2022.
"A similar notice was also served on the owner of the neighbouring Quality Café.
"We have continued to monitor the condition of the building and are currently reviewing the situation again and considering our next steps.
"It remains the responsibility of the owners to ensure their buildings are kept in safe condition.”
