A council department has objected to plans to create a new rooftop area at a pub in Perth over concerns drinkers will be able to peer into offices belonging to senior local authority employees.
JD Wetherspoons applied to Perth and Kinross Council in April for planning consent and listed building consent to make changes to The Capital Asset in Tay Street to form the new area at the back of the B-listed building and extend its kitchen.
However the council’s estates team have now raised an objection to the proposal pointing out the development would allow revellers to see inside offices at 2 High Street currently occupied by the local authority’s top accountant and heads of legal and finance.
They also say the proposed development could lead to council employees being disturbed or distracted by lively conversations likely to take place outside the pub and exposed to second-hand smoke from drinkers through open windows.
The team have told PKC planners: “The proximity of the proposed rooftop terrace and offices on the first floor [of 2 High Street] specifically means there is a prospect ... users of the facility could see into the offices - currently the users of these offices are [the] head of finance, chief accountant and head of legal and governance.”
Their objection continues: “The council has a car park which will be overlooked. How do the developers propose to maintain there [sic] property when it is in close proximity to the council car park and land ownership?
“What is to prevent users of the rooftop terrace from discarding rubbish, bottles etc onto council employees’ vehicles and damaging these vehicles and other council property?”
The estates team’s objection also notes: “Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, legal services staff on the first floor had to contact Wetherspoons to ask them to turn down music when staff were taking their breaks out the back.
“Noise from an entertainment space will be disruptive to normal office business, but especially telephone calls, many of which deal with sensitive and technical matters. Staff also work beyond 5pm in this office as well.”
Their objection adds: “It is presumed that smoking will be allowed in the rooftop terrace area and outside seating.
“The proximity of the rooftop terrace area and outside seating to the council offices brings the risk of smoke entering the offices.”
Three other neighbours have filed objections to JD Wetherspoons’ plans according to PKC’s planning portal, two under the total needed to ensure elected councillors would be asked to determine the applications if PKC officials were minded to recommend them for approval.
The applications will now likely be determined by council officers under delegated powers.
