Murdo has called on Perth and Kinross Council to hold a public vote on the suitability of the controversial leisure plan for Thimblerow in Perth.
He said he “doesn’t know a single person” who thinks the proposal to build a new leisure centre at the site is a good idea, and he wants the local authority to hold a referendum in order for the Council not to proceed further without public support.
The plan to build a new Capability Scotland care facility and 103 flats across six residential blocks on the existing leisure pool site at Glover Street has met with widespread local opposition. Despite this, Perth and Kinross Council signed off on the plan without any public consultation.
The Council recently advertised a drop-in event about the plan on Facebook, only to receive scathing criticism from residents.
Commenting, Murdo said: “There is mounting opposition to this plan, including a petition set up by myself on social media.
“I am calling on Perth and Kinross Council to put this issue to a public vote, so they don’t proceed further without public support.
“The Thimblerow plan is so wrong on many levels. It is totally unsuitable. It is a misguided plan that will not have an ice rink, not have a separate leisure pool and not have sufficient onsite car parking. It will have fewer courts to play racket sports compared to what was previously available.”
Murdo continued: “Thimblerow is a busy and popular parking spot, but the SNP-run Council want to get rid of this car park and build the new swimming pool and sports and leisure centre here instead. That’s a crazy idea.
“I don’t know a single person in Perth who thinks it is a good idea to build a smaller sports facility at Thimblerow when we have a growing population. I asked residents to join my petition campaign to say ‘no’ to the plan and make the Council think again.”
