🟢 NORTH INCH - WORKS 🟢
You may have noticed a good deal of work has started on the North Inch.
The work is connected to a new golf course starter facility, trench work to connect utilities and a tarmac access road cut across the grass.
A map of the utilities and associated groundwork is shown as is information about the golf starter facility, which measures 7m x 7 m in contrast to the existing hut which is 2.6 square metres.
The new building is modular steel construction and houses space for the starter, retail space for golf merchandise, inside cafe space, space for socialising and accessible toilet and a security system. Further space is to be created outside with tables/chairs. As such, the total space used is much larger and encompasses new, different uses.
A tarmac road has already been laid down as an access road, cutting through grassland subject to regular flooding.
This development wasn’t subject to planning as it was deemed by the PKC Planning Office to be ‘permitted development’.
BUT
It is an accepted principle of the common good area that is the North Inch, that no permanent structures should be erected thereon and this is being ignored both in the new starter facility, utilities and in the tarmac access road.
A further concern is that the North Inch is not just a beautiful, open space, highly valued by the citizens of Perth but is also an important part of the history of Perth and can still provide clues as to the way things were. At various times past and in no particular order, it provided medieval farmland, witches were burnt there, it had a race course around its perimeter and, in 1396, it was the site of the Battle of the Clans initiated by King Robert 3rd.
As such, it’s sad to see this heritage being tarmaced over and with modular steel cabins being placed in the middle of it. There has been no public consultation for this project despite its prime location in a premier public park.
The work has been funded by the PKC Community Environment Challenge Fund (award £47,000) Perth Common Good Fund (£4,900) and a VAT refund to PKC (£117,000).
The quoted cost of the building is £54,900 (actual costs may be higher as quotes are historical); the quoted cost of the utilities and groundwork is £98,460 and the cost of the tarmac road was £17,700.
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