Perth conference looks at bringing neglected buildings back to life

Action to transform derelict Perth and Kinross buildings is the subject of a Fair City conference next week.

Examples set to be highlighted include: flats on the upper floors of South Street buildings in Perth, the transformation of the city’s former Y Centre into a social hub for young people and the overhaul of the derelict Millhaugh Sawmill in Alyth.

The theme of the Scotland’s Towns Conference (STP) is Investing in Our Assets for Sustainable Towns of the Future.

READ MORE: Ex-Rangers star Nicky Clark left fuming after thieves steal luxury motor from driveway

READ MORE: Plans for Perthshire convenience store plans come with a jobs pledge

It is to highlight how empty - and often eyesore - buildings can be transformed.

It comes just months after Perth Museum opened to the public following the completion of a £27 million transformation from the former City Hall.

Perth and Kinross Council leader councillor Grant Laing, who will speak at the conference, said: “Our Vacant and Eyesore Property Taskforce has been developed to work in partnership with property owners/businesses to help them access funding to refurbish and bring properties back into use.

“Empty and disrepaired properties do not present an area in its best light and can limit further investment.

“They also disrupt the sense of community and vibrancy of an area. These buildings often lead to other problems such as anti-social behaviour, vermin, fly-tipping and fire-raising.

“Encouraging the re-use of empty properties or the repair of buildings suffering from neglect brings in more footfall for local businesses and adds to the vitality, amenity and civic pride of the area. All of this brings significant benefits to our local centres, including improved economic performance.

“This type of work is something the council has prioritised, and you can see the success we had with St Paul’s Church and the former Perth City Hall, now Perth Museum.

“I look forward to welcoming Scotland’s Towns Partnership and its guests to Perth, where we can pass on everything we have learned to delegates from other areas.”

PKC’s Vacant and Eyesore Property Taskforce includes supporting:

•The creation of new flats on the upper floors of two buildings on South Street in Perth - one which had sat empty for 20 years, the other which was last occupied 40 years ago.

•The transformation of the former Y Centre, on Atholl Street and North William Street, Perth, into a social hub for young people as well as seven flats providing affordable housing and emergency accommodation for young people exiting care.

•The overhaul of the former Millhaugh Sawmill in Alyth - which had sat derelict for almost 40 years - into a new community space.

•The conversion of a property on West Bridge Street in Perth which had been vacant for more than 20 years into an office at street-level and one-bed flat in its two lower floors.

•Developing plans to improve McIntyres Corner in Perth - a scheme which could cost almost £1.5m.

STP chief officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “Perth and Kinross Council are really demonstrating the art of the possible, not just in their vision to use every asset in communities by bringing vacant and derelict buildings back to life, but in showcasing the kind of collaboration that’s needed to make all of this possible.”

Scotland’s Towns Partnership – the voice of the country’s towns – is the parent organisation of Scotland’s Improvement Districts and spearheads the Scotland Loves Local initiative as a means to boost local economies.