Visitor centre and related works at Scone Palace, Queen's Drive, Perth

What was proposed

The application proposed converting and extending stables into a visitor centre, alongside offices, outdoor play, access, parking and solar panels.

“PROPOSAL: Change of use, alterations and extension to stables to form visitor centre comprising café, ticket office and shop, erection of office building and installation of solar array, formation of outdoor play area, vehicular access, parking areas and associated works…”

“Conversion of the ‘U’ shaped stable building including a ‘Chauffeurs Flat’ to form a visitor centre that would house a ticket office, café, gift shop and ancillary facilities providing year-round catering and retail provision; • A new Pavilion building for office use; • Formation of an outdoor play area; • New roads and car parking; and • Installation of a solar array.”

Officer report

The site

The 17.4-hectare site lies in the Green Belt, a designed landscape and a River Tay conservation catchment, with listed buildings and scheduled monuments.

“The site is located approximately 3km north of Perth and 2km west of Scone, within the designated Perth Green Belt. It is also within the River Tay Special Area of Conservation Catchment Area (SAC) and the Scone Palace Garden and Designed Landscape (GDL), with semi naturalised woodland areas and ancient woodland/trees.”

“Active travel routes are proposed as part of the Cross Tay Link Road, with access on foot to the east off Core Path 138 (SCON/138: Quarrymill to Stormontfield Road) along the A93 and Core Path 139 (SCON/139: Stormontfield Road past the racecourse to river), leading to Core Path 140 (SCON/140: Riverside path, Scone Racecourse to Colenhaugh).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal complied with the Development Plan, subject to conditions and a legal agreement or other mechanism for transport contributions.

“There is a mutual desire between the applicant and officers to see this development progress as quickly as reasonably possible. As noted within the report, there have been delays in reaching agreement in respect to various areas of design, materials and developer contributions.”

“To conclude, the application must be determined in accordance with the Development Plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. In this respect, the proposal, subject to the recommended conditions and securing of developer contributions, is considered to comply with NPF4, and the adopted Local Development Plan 2 (2019).”

Officer report

What consultees said

Most consultees raised no objection, while heritage consultees sought less prominent materials and conservation officers opposed wholesale replacement of historic windows and doors.

“Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust - No objection, subject to a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a Written Scheme of Archaeological Investigation (WSI), as the site is within an area considered to be highly archaeologically sensitive given the close proximity of Moot Hill (SM13595).”

“Conservation Team – Raise concerns in relation to the scale of the extensions proposed on the stable building, proposed finishing materials (copper cladding) together with the extent of cladding proposed on the southwest and northeast elevations. Further concerns are raised in relation to the glazed openings proposed on the northwest elevation and that this must include the retention of doors and the framing should be centralised to match the door openings.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant addressed the committee and answered members’ questions.

The vote

Five members supported the motion and five supported an amendment removing Condition 22; the Convener used a casting vote for the motion.

“In terms of Standing Order 21.2, the Convener exercised the casting vote in accordance with the Motion.”

Minutes

Important conditions

The permission excluded copper cladding and wholesale window and door replacement, requiring later approval of materials and conservation strategies.

“The scheme for each phase, as subsequently approved shall be carried out and completed within the first available planting season (October to March) after the completion or bringing into use of the development, whichever is the earlier, and the date of Practical Completion of the landscaping scheme shall be supplied in writing to the Council as Planning Authority within 7 days of that date.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, wholesale window replacement on the stable building, as shown on Drawing 148, is not approved. Prior to the commencement of any development, a detailed strategy for the retention and replacement of windows shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. This shall include precise design specifications, materials, profiles, glazing type, and finishes for all proposed replacement windows.”

Minutes