Money from sale of land would be used to give Perth building a new lease of life
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BRIGHTER FUTURE: Father Jim McManus at St Mary’s Monastery, on whose land it is planned to build nearly 20 houses
The future of an under-threat Perth monastery could be secured after plans were lodged by a private developer to build almost 20 houses on its land.
St Mary’s Monastery, which attracts more than 2,000 visitors every year, faces closure if expensive refurbishments are not made to the 19th-century structure.
Cala Homes has submitted planning permission for 19 houses, which if accepted will lead to it buying a six-acre plot of land from the monks.
The sprawling B-listed sanctuary, next to Kinnoull Hill overlooking Perth, needs more than £2million of renovation work if it is to continue as a retreat centre.
Father Jim McManus, director of courses at the monastery, said improvements needed to be made to sleeping quarters and new disabled access facilities would have to be added.
He said: “The income generated from the sale of the land will also allow us to create a fund which will ensure the long-term future of St Mary’s, both for the congregation that live and worship here, and as an ecumenical pastoral retreat centre.
“The sale of the land became our only hope of providing a viable long-term future plan for the monastery – and for the Redemptorist order to remain in Perth.
“If we are unable to obtain the funds for the refurbishment through the sale of the land, we will have no alternative than to move from St Mary’s and put the building and our whole landholding up for sale.”
Historic Scotland and the Perth and Kinross Quality of Life Trust are also helping to finance the monastery’s restoration.
Trustees sought additional cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Communities Scotland, but were turned down by both groups.
Cala Homes has asked for its planned semi-detached houses at the site to be included in Perth and Kinross Council’s next local development plan.
Derek Lawson, land director with the developer, said the design of the houses would take the “sensitive natural and spiritual environment” of the location into account.
He said: “We are proposing a low-density development that reflects other housing in the area and the adjoining countryside.
“Much care has been taken in its design and landscaping to make our development sympathetic to St Mary’s Monastery, while a new network of paths into the adjoining woodland will also be provided as part of the plans.”
A spokesman for the monastery said it hoped the land would sell for several million pounds.