5 days ago
Capability Scotland is a step closer to building new facilities in Perth
Perth and Kinross Council's in principle decision to allocate part of the Perth Leisure Pool site to the charity represents a "meaningful milestone"
Capability Scotland is "really pleased" with Perth and Kinross Council's decision - in principle - to allocate part of the Perth Leisure Pool site to the charity.
On Wednesday, June 18 councillors voted - in principle - to allow the charity to relocate from its Upper Springland site to Glover Street.
The move has been welcomed by Capability Scotland's chief executive who said it will protect 200 jobs in Perth and care for 100 adults.
In September 2024, councillors had voted for affordable housing to be developed on the Glover Street site following the completion of PH2O.
In a late twist, the papers - put before councillors on June 18 - included a proposal and recommendation for PKC to provide Capability Scotland the opportunity to remain in the Fair City by relocating its services and accommodation to part of the current Perth Leisure Pool site.
Capability Scotland would be allocated the outdoor play area, grass and car park to build its new facilities.
Affordable housing is proposed to be built on the site of the Perth Leisure Pool building.
Capability Scotland currently provides supported accommodation for 60 residents as well as day care services for clients, with a range of disabilities and complex support needs, at Upper Springland.
The Perth City Integrated Investment and Leisure Assets Review Update - put before councillors - explained how the charity's current Upper Springland site is no longer suitable.
The council report stated: "The long-established Capability Scotland site at Upper Springland in Perth is no longer suitable for the charity due to the increasing complexity and support needs of the residents who live at this location and the ageing facilities and concerns about the unacceptable flood risk from its location on the banks of the River Tay."
Councillors were told previous plans for the charity to relocate to a site at Bertha Park were no longer viable.
The report stated that "the financial model and need for significant fundraising which is anticipated to take a number of years now sees this site as being undeliverable".
Councillors were recommended to agree in principle to allocating part of the Glover Street site to Capability Scotland, as part of PKC's commitment to its strategic priority of protecting and caring for its most vulnerable people.
Moving the proposal - as part of a wider motion on a £97 million investment in Perth and Kinross leisure facilities - council leader Grant Laing said: "Their current site at Upper Springland is no longer fit for purpose. The risks are real, and the options are limited. By supporting their move to Glover Street, we're not just offering a new location — we're helping people stay connected to the community they know and trust. We're protecting continuity of care, retaining over 200 jobs, and bringing new external capital investment and footfall into the city centre."
The motion was voted through by 24 votes to 15.
Capability Scotland's chief executive Brian Logan said the decision represented a "meaningful milestone" for the charity.
Mr Logan said: "We're really pleased with the council's decision in principle to allocate land at Glover Street to Capability Scotland. It's a meaningful milestone that brings us one step closer to delivering the kind of modern, inclusive community that the people we support truly deserve, while protecting 200 local jobs and care for 100 adults.
"Following changes to the costs associated with us developing at Bertha Park, we made the difficult but necessary decision to explore alternative locations for the Our Inclusive Community Project, to ensure maximum value for our customers, families, staff and funders.
"The Glover Street site was identified after a wide-ranging assessment, that included four other sites including Bertha Park. Glover Street offers us a financially sustainable and integrated location and presents the opportunity to use public land and apply competitive tendering processes that help ensure affordability throughout development.
'Our priority throughout has been to secure a location that ensures long-term safety, accessibility and quality of life for everyone we support, their families, our staff and the wider community."
As well as the Capability Scotland development, some affordable housing is still being proposed. Indicative plans show two four-storey blocks of affordable housing accommodation on the Perth Leisure Pool site.
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: "Affordable housing provision will be retained on the site of the current Perth Leisure Pool building, but the details of this will be developed through the masterplan to progress the feasibility and design of the site as set out in the report agreed by council on Wednesday. The attached indicative sketch of the site shows a possibility of four storey-residential blocks on the site of the current Perth Leisure Pool, although this remains subject to further design and development and would not start work until after PH2O at Thimblerow is open as until then Perth Leisure Pool will remain open to ensure swimming pool provision remains available in Perth."
How the land will be allocated to Capability Scotland will be subject to further discussion.
It is not yet clear whether the Glover St land will be sold to Capability Scotland for a nominal sum.
The council spokesperson said: "Discussions regarding land transfer to Capability Scotland is one of the future stages of progressing this, now that council has agreed in principle to the allocation of part of the Glover Street project for this purpose."
