Councillor urges support for St Paul's scheme

Jan 18 2013 by Paul Cargill, Perthshire Advertiser

A Perth city centre councillor yesterday called on residents to back contentious renovation plans for St Paul’s Church.

Perth and Kinross Council granted consent to a planning application from Mr Tazim Mohammed to convert the eyesore into an Indian restaurant in January last year.

In recent weeks, The PA has reported on the concerns of business owners and city centre shoppers regarding the condition of the crumbling church and its visual impact on the High Street.

Architect Hugh Crawford revealed last week further listed building consent is required before the conversion can begin. And in a front page story in Tuesday’s edition, Councillor Archie MacLellan said he was “frustrated” the building had been lying empty for so long – and that he could see “no reason” why permission should not be given for listed building consent.

Yesterday, Councillor Peter Barrett appealed for the public’s support and patience while the project progresses through the various planning stages.

He added: “The conversion and refurbishment of St Paul’s is a major undertaking which will make a very significant contribution to the regeneration of our city centre.

“Repairing, renovating and converting the B-listed building properly and sensitively will be a highly complex, intricate and very expensive process.

“There have been inappropriate repairs and materials used in the past and we can’t afford to get it wrong this time. Mr Mohammed’s commitment is something Perth residents and visitors should value highly. It will re-instate and return St Paul’s to its former glory.”