Designating Bell's Sports Centre, Perth

From 7 December 2023 to 23 February 2024, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) sought views on a proposal to list Bell’s Sports Centre in Perth. 

Bell’s Sports Centre, opened in 1968, is one of Scotland’s earliest purpose-built, indoor sports centres. The domed sports hall has special architectural and historic interest as an exceptional surviving example of a new building type that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Designed to accommodate a range of sporting courts and community activities, the building reflects the increase in leisure time and the importance placed on health and well-being for wider public benefit during this period. It is the only domed sports facility in Scotland, and it is the second example of a domed sports hall to be built in the United Kingdom.   

Through Citizen Space, we invited members of the public to tell us if they agreed with the proposed designation and if they had further comments to make. 

We consulted directly with Perth and Kinross Council as the planning authority and owner of the site, and the tenants of the building. 

Our selection guidance for designation and the policies we work to are published in the Designations Policy and Selection Guidance document.  

We received a total of 40 responses to consultation, including one response from the local authority, one response from an interested party and 38 responses to our online survey.  

The overwhelming majority of people who responded expressed strong support for the designation. No one raised issues that brought into question the cultural significance of the site for designation. However, many of the comments noted the flood risk at the site and the perceived impact listing may have on the future use of the building.  

We have reported in more detail on the consultation in our Report on Handling, which can be downloaded from the Heritage Portal or from the bottom of this page. 

Comments from the online survey are published in full (where we have appropriate permissions). The report can be downloaded from the bottom of this page. 

After considering the comments received during consultation, we have 

• Listed the structure at category B as Sports arena block, including dome, changing rooms and offices at Bell’s Sports Centre, excluding all other structures and buildings, Hay Street, Perth  

We have published a Report on Handling for this case on the Heritage Portal. This can also be downloaded at the bottom of this page. 

PDF Files: 

• Report of Handling - Decision 

• Online Consultation Survey Report - Bell's Sports Centre