Special place to be treasured by the people of Perth

Mar 4 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Dear Editor, – I read with concern your report that the Perth Civic Trust has added its opposition to the proposal for a housing development adjacent to St Mary's Monastery on Kinnoull Hill.

There has already been vociferous opposition to the proposed development by the Kinnoull Hill Park Group. It does not seem to be realised that there are real question marks over the future of the monastery if the funding provided by the development is not made available for essential refurbishment to the monastery's interior, along with meeting necessary health and safety requirements.

This lovely old building, run by the Redemptorist religious order, provides a tranquil location for the mental and spiritual wellbeing of substantial numbers of people from across the country. If it is to continue to do so it has to be fully maintained, as do all historic buildings.

Having been given guided tours of the monastery by members of the St Mary’s religious community, I am aware that it is a very special place to be treasured by the people of Perth. The adjacent gardens are also beatiful and continue to exist through the strenuous efforts of a very elderly member of the Redemptorist community there.

If we don't want to put the future of St Mary's Monastery at risk, we need to be realistic and accept that this costs money. In the present economic climate there is not a lot of spare money available and the housing development could offer a solution to the monastery's problems. I trust this will help contribute to the debate.

Malcolm Payne,

West View,

Pitcairngreen,

Perth PH1 3LR.