Annual Impact Report 2024

CASE STUDY

Council tax discretion in Perth & Kinross

173 High Street is located in a prominent city centre location, within the conservation area of Perth & Kinross and was empty for around 24 years prior to redevelopment.

The empty properties were part of a large commercial portfolio, being a mix of commercial (offices) and residential. Subsequently there were several changes of ownership making establishing contact with the owners a challenge. The property also attracted issues relating to anti-social behaviour, criminal activity and general disturbance.

Eventually, contact was made with the owners and the property sold, the new owner who took over received managers discretion from their council tax, VAT reduction letters and feasibility funding from the Vacant Property Development Team.

This project presents a strong case study for disused commercial building adaption, and mixed-use development to supporting increased city centre affordable living options. The project brought 7 properties back into use at affordable rents. The properties are a mixture of 1 and 2 bedroom flats. The flats have been let to tenants from a range of backgrounds, some with lived experience of homelessness, others living independently for the first time, and others who were seeking accommodation to support local employment. Significant demand exists, particularly for 1 bed accommodation in the city centre so this development makes a significant contribution to supply, at comparatively low cost.