A comprehensive public consultation on the future of Perth’s city centre has revealed a fascinating blend of ambitious community aspirations and pragmatic local concerns. Hundreds of residents and stakeholders engaged with the proposed Perth City Centre Development and Design Framework, offering clear directives on how the Fair City should evolve over the coming years. Their feedback, now under review by Perth and Kinross Council, highlights a strong desire for innovative urban renewal tempered by a firm grasp of day-to-day practicalities.
Among the most striking proposals to gain widespread backing is the transformative vision for the St John’s Shopping Centre. The public has decisively endorsed a plan to partially dismantle the complex, opening up the space to re-establish traditional streetscapes. This would create vibrant new areas suitable for outdoor dining and social interaction, aiming to breathe fresh life into the city’s retail and leisure heart.
Equally popular is the concept of a new ‘Tay Street promenade,’ designed to enhance the city’s connection with the majestic River Tay. This initiative aims to create an appealing thoroughfare for pedestrians and cyclists, transforming the riverside into a more accessible and attractive public amenity. Such a development promises to unlock the scenic potential of Tay Street, fostering a more engaging and healthy urban environment for all.
However, not all suggestions received such an enthusiastic reception. A notable point of contention emerged regarding the future of the Scott Street car park. Plans to convert this crucial city centre parking facility into a green space, adorned with trees and planting, met with significant public disapproval. Residents underscored the indispensable role of this car park, emphasizing its convenience and necessity for supporting local businesses and visitors to the bustling city centre. This feedback clearly signals that while green initiatives are valued, they must not come at the expense of essential infrastructure.
Further consensus was found in support of developing new entertainment options, such as ten-pin bowling facilities, as well as fostering indoor food and drink markets. These additions are seen as vital for diversifying the city’s appeal and enhancing its evening economy. Improving existing retail units also garnered strong support, reflecting a broader ambition to revitalize Perth’s commercial landscape. In response to this clear public mandate, council officers are set to embark on a feasibility study for vacant prominent properties, including the former Debenhams, McEwens, and Lakeland buildings, exploring their potential for redevelopment and fresh purpose. Quarter by Quarter: Detailed Visions and Local Insights
The extensive framework thoughtfully segmented Perth into six distinct ‘quarters,’ each with tailored proposals aimed at maximizing its unique character and potential. The responses provided a granular understanding of community priorities across these varied zones.
In the **Mill Quarter**, home to the much-discussed PH2O leisure centre at Thimblerow, the public demonstrated strong support for new active travel connections, thoughtful landscaping, expanded green spaces, and the integration of public art. Outdoor seating areas were also a hit, indicating a desire for more inviting urban spaces. Conversely, proposals for a revised or extended one-way system and part-pedestrianisation around Old High Street and City Mills faced considerable opposition, with residents preferring to maintain current access arrangements.
The **Cultural Quarter** received a resounding endorsement for the restoration of the Lade, promising to introduce more seating and greenery along its banks, creating a tranquil urban oasis. However, the notion of transforming Mill Street and Murray Street into a fully pedestrianised public space was largely rejected. More popular were proposals for improved lighting, additional seating and shelters, and the strategic redevelopment of vacant sites along South Methven Street, including the former Ladbrokes building, all aimed at enhancing the area’s attractiveness and functionality.
For the **Harbour Quarter**, plans to fully open Perth Harbour as a public attraction were enthusiastically embraced. Specific ideas that resonated deeply with the community included the creation of a new community boathouse, a pedestrian bridge connecting to Moncreiffe Island, expanded water leisure facilities, and a dedicated marina for small boats. The integration of new connections and active travel routes, the establishment of a new cultural landmark, and the development of both business and residential properties in this area also received strong public backing.
The **University Quarter**’s proposals for an active travel hub, a woodland walk trail, and a comprehensive new campus masterplan were well-received. Furthermore, residents supported the development of a green corridor linking the campus to the city centre, along with the creation of a new university campus on the western part of the UHI Perth site, signaling a desire for enhanced connectivity and green infrastructure.
Finally, the **Station Quarter**, often the first impression visitors get of Perth, saw strong support for practical improvements such as better lighting, clearer signposting, and improved step-free access around the bus and railway stations. The concept of a pedestrian-prioritised corridor leading into the city centre, and the creation of a ‘Pomerium Neighbourhood’ featuring new townhouses and the regeneration of existing tower blocks, also met with approval.
Despite this area benefiting from a Scottish Government commitment of up to £15 million through the Tay Cities Deal, a significant hurdle has emerged. Long-standing plans to integrate the bus and railway stations have been put on hold due to Network Rail indicating that the necessary land may not be available for a considerable period, if at all. Consequently, the council is now pivoting to redevelop the existing bus station, known for its poor quality, and to enhance pedestrian routes along Leonard Street and Hospital Street. The former Arnold Clark site at St Leonards Bank is also being eyed for potential transformation into a new car park and active travel hub, offering a practical solution to the city’s transport needs.
With this rich tapestry of public feedback, Perth and Kinross Council now faces the crucial task of transforming these high-impact plans into tangible actions. The upcoming council meeting will be pivotal in approving the framework and directing officers to advance these key proposals, aligning development with the expressed desires of the Perth community, contingent on securing the necessary funding.
Among the most striking proposals to gain widespread backing is the transformative vision for the St John’s Shopping Centre. The public has decisively endorsed a plan to partially dismantle the complex, opening up the space to re-establish traditional streetscapes. This would create vibrant new areas suitable for outdoor dining and social interaction, aiming to breathe fresh life into the city’s retail and leisure heart.
Equally popular is the concept of a new ‘Tay Street promenade,’ designed to enhance the city’s connection with the majestic River Tay. This initiative aims to create an appealing thoroughfare for pedestrians and cyclists, transforming the riverside into a more accessible and attractive public amenity. Such a development promises to unlock the scenic potential of Tay Street, fostering a more engaging and healthy urban environment for all.
However, not all suggestions received such an enthusiastic reception. A notable point of contention emerged regarding the future of the Scott Street car park. Plans to convert this crucial city centre parking facility into a green space, adorned with trees and planting, met with significant public disapproval. Residents underscored the indispensable role of this car park, emphasizing its convenience and necessity for supporting local businesses and visitors to the bustling city centre. This feedback clearly signals that while green initiatives are valued, they must not come at the expense of essential infrastructure.
Further consensus was found in support of developing new entertainment options, such as ten-pin bowling facilities, as well as fostering indoor food and drink markets. These additions are seen as vital for diversifying the city’s appeal and enhancing its evening economy. Improving existing retail units also garnered strong support, reflecting a broader ambition to revitalize Perth’s commercial landscape. In response to this clear public mandate, council officers are set to embark on a feasibility study for vacant prominent properties, including the former Debenhams, McEwens, and Lakeland buildings, exploring their potential for redevelopment and fresh purpose. Quarter by Quarter: Detailed Visions and Local Insights
The extensive framework thoughtfully segmented Perth into six distinct ‘quarters,’ each with tailored proposals aimed at maximizing its unique character and potential. The responses provided a granular understanding of community priorities across these varied zones.
In the **Mill Quarter**, home to the much-discussed PH2O leisure centre at Thimblerow, the public demonstrated strong support for new active travel connections, thoughtful landscaping, expanded green spaces, and the integration of public art. Outdoor seating areas were also a hit, indicating a desire for more inviting urban spaces. Conversely, proposals for a revised or extended one-way system and part-pedestrianisation around Old High Street and City Mills faced considerable opposition, with residents preferring to maintain current access arrangements.
The **Cultural Quarter** received a resounding endorsement for the restoration of the Lade, promising to introduce more seating and greenery along its banks, creating a tranquil urban oasis. However, the notion of transforming Mill Street and Murray Street into a fully pedestrianised public space was largely rejected. More popular were proposals for improved lighting, additional seating and shelters, and the strategic redevelopment of vacant sites along South Methven Street, including the former Ladbrokes building, all aimed at enhancing the area’s attractiveness and functionality.
For the **Harbour Quarter**, plans to fully open Perth Harbour as a public attraction were enthusiastically embraced. Specific ideas that resonated deeply with the community included the creation of a new community boathouse, a pedestrian bridge connecting to Moncreiffe Island, expanded water leisure facilities, and a dedicated marina for small boats. The integration of new connections and active travel routes, the establishment of a new cultural landmark, and the development of both business and residential properties in this area also received strong public backing.
The **University Quarter**’s proposals for an active travel hub, a woodland walk trail, and a comprehensive new campus masterplan were well-received. Furthermore, residents supported the development of a green corridor linking the campus to the city centre, along with the creation of a new university campus on the western part of the UHI Perth site, signaling a desire for enhanced connectivity and green infrastructure.
Finally, the **Station Quarter**, often the first impression visitors get of Perth, saw strong support for practical improvements such as better lighting, clearer signposting, and improved step-free access around the bus and railway stations. The concept of a pedestrian-prioritised corridor leading into the city centre, and the creation of a ‘Pomerium Neighbourhood’ featuring new townhouses and the regeneration of existing tower blocks, also met with approval.
Despite this area benefiting from a Scottish Government commitment of up to £15 million through the Tay Cities Deal, a significant hurdle has emerged. Long-standing plans to integrate the bus and railway stations have been put on hold due to Network Rail indicating that the necessary land may not be available for a considerable period, if at all. Consequently, the council is now pivoting to redevelop the existing bus station, known for its poor quality, and to enhance pedestrian routes along Leonard Street and Hospital Street. The former Arnold Clark site at St Leonards Bank is also being eyed for potential transformation into a new car park and active travel hub, offering a practical solution to the city’s transport needs.
With this rich tapestry of public feedback, Perth and Kinross Council now faces the crucial task of transforming these high-impact plans into tangible actions. The upcoming council meeting will be pivotal in approving the framework and directing officers to advance these key proposals, aligning development with the expressed desires of the Perth community, contingent on securing the necessary funding.