Future Council housing developments

Background

In the early hours of Sunday 22 June 2025 a fire broke out in the empty former Balhousie Primary School. Following assessment by an independent structural engineer a Dangerous Buildings Notice has been issued for the building. This must be resolved before there is further consideration of the future use of the site. In the meantime the previously submitted planning application to convert the building into flats has been withdrawn.

A meeting for neighbouring residents to explain the approach which is being taken to the demolition was held on Thursday 10 July 2025 in the Council Buildings at 2 High Street, Perth. A follow-up meeting is being arranged for August, and in the meantime Council officers will attend the next meeting of North Inch and Muirton Community Council on Wednesday 30 July 2025 to provide an update for the wider community.

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Timeline

• 2019 - Lifelong Learning Committee decides to build new school at site of North Muirton Primary School creating a new merged school combining North Muirton Primary School and Balhousie Primary School (Riverside Primary School)
• 5 June 2019 - decision taken to declare Balhousie Primary School surplus, once school is relocated to a new building
• 2020-2023 - Riverside Primary School designed, tendered and constructed at site of previous North Muirton Primary School
• March-April 2023 - online survey to consider future use of Balhousie Primary School carried out, 206 responses received.
• 12 June 2023 - Balhousie Primary School closes and building becomes surplus
• 28 June 2023 - following a detailed options appraisal the Council's New Build Board opted for a Council-led social rented housing development
• November 2023 - Balhousie School housing development formally added to the Perth and Kinross 5-year Strategic Housing Investment Plan
• January 2024 - procurement process started to appoint a design team to take forward the proposals
• April 2024 - Hubco East Central Scotland appointed to take forward the design and later construction of the project
• August 2024 - Architects and other design consultants appointed to carry out the design. Design process commences
• 5 February 2025 - Housing mix and typologies finalised with Design Team
• 6 February 2025 - first public information and consultation event held on outline designs being considered
• 6 March 2025 - second public information and consultation event held to provide information on preferred design layouts
• 18 April 2025 - planning application submitted (to view search for application number 25/00564/LBC on our online planning platform)
• April 2025 - updated asbestos survey carried out in preparation for conversion works
• 22 June 2025 - emergency services attend fire in building
• 25 June 2025 - Dangerous Buildings Notice issued
• 10 July 2025 - first resident information session on approach to demolition
• 14 July 2025 - planning application withdrawn

Related documents

At the residents' information meeting on 10 July 2025 there was interest in seeing a number of documents which were discussed. These will be added to this section:

• Copy of the presentation (PDF, 1 MB) shared at the residents' meeting
• Copy of the Dangerous Buildings Notice (PDF, 63 KB)
• Copy of the Asbestos Survey carried out in April 2025 (to be added)
• Copy of the structural report carried out by the independent structural engineer (to be added)

Documents from the now withdrawn planning application to convert the former Balhhousie Primary School building into affordable housing are available on our online planning platform. Search for application number 25/00564/LBC.

Frequently asked questions

When and why was it decided to close and declare the school as surplus?

A decision was taken in October 2018 by the Lifelong Learning Committee following an options appraisal process and formal consultation process to close Balhousie School and merge it with North Muirton Primary School as soon as a new school could be built. Part of the report conclusions was that "Significant benefits could be provided to pupils from the Balhousie Primary School catchment area through access to a modern, purpose-built, fully accessible and well-designed learning environment". 

When was the school building declared surplus?

On 5 June 2019, the school was formally declared to be surplus and would be closed when the school transferred to the new school building.

Why did it take another four years to close the school?

During 2020 to 2024 the new school building was designed, tendered, and constructed. Balhousie School was closed in June 2023 after the pupils transferred to the new school campus.

Why was the decision taken to convert the school to housing?

During March and April 2023, a survey was undertaken to consider the future use of Balhousie School. The survey was carried out on line and was promoted to residents, parents and local community groups.

206 responses were received making the following suggestions:

• 46% housing (affordable 30% and private 16%) 
• 32% community use 
• 11% combination of above 
• 10% other 

On 28 June 2023, following a detailed options appraisal the Council's New Build Housing Board opted for a Council-led Social Rented Housing Development. The project was then approved to be included in the Council's Strategic Housing Investment Plan at the Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee on 29 November 2023.

When and why was it decided to focus on social housing rather than selling the site for private development?

In June 2023 an options appraisal was carried out that looked at options including sale of the land, providing Mid-Market rent housing and an option for council rented housing. The options appraisal highlighted that the council led social rent option was the popular choice within the recent survey, that it met council priorities including the decision to delivery 210 new affordable houses annually, and it would help ensure the listed building is retained and enhanced. The Councils' New Building Housing board selected this option for the site. 

Local housing demand

The Perth and Kinross Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2025/26 to 2029/30 (PDF, 696 KB) proposes to deliver approximately 1,152 affordable homes over the next five years (an average of 230 homes per year). Local housing demand confirms that there are over 873 applicants currently on the waiting list for social housing, requiring house sizes of:

• 1 bed units - 533 applicants
• 2 bed units - 299 applicants
• 3 bed units - 41 applicants

What was the overall project proposal before the fire?

The project was planned to deliver 45 new homes, including 24 x 1 Bedroom, 2 Person converted flats in the existing school building. These were intended to be standard flats as the restrictions in the existing building prevented us providing level access to the ground floor flats and achieving the higher space standards needed for wheelchair or other specialist housing. 

The former janitor's house was proposed to be converted back into a 3-Bedroom, 5- or 6-person house and within the school grounds 20 additional 2-bedroom, 4-person new build cottage flats were proposed with four new blocks being constructed to provide 20 new build homes. The ground floor flats were to be designed to suit people with minor disabilities, but not to full wheelchair standard and the upper flats were to be standard flats.

The Council is committed to undertaking fresh engagement with the community about how the site is developed in future, including the use of the former janitor's house which has not been impacted by the fire. This will be subject to future events later this year.

How and when will the project be taken forward? 

Timescales are currently unknown for the future development of the site. These will be considered and discussed with the community as part of future engagement activity. The priority at the moment is to ensure public safety and comply with the terms of the Dangerous Buildings Notice.

What actions will be taken to minimise disruption during the demolition phase?

As with any construction site, demolition conditions will include limits on working hours and restrictions on working practices taking into account the site location. 

In addition, traffic management from the site will take into account the surrounding area and the feedback and suggestions from residents on the 10 July meeting to minimise the impact on the area.