Plansfor mansion

Developers are looking to demolish the remnants of a B-listed building near Doune which was gutted by fire.

Argaty House is estimated to have been 90 per cent destroyed in a blaze in April 2011.

As many as 50 firefighters were called to the 19th century mansion and a dozen Central Scotland Fire and Rescue appliances dispatched across the region.

Parts of the building date back to the 17th century.

Seven years on, however Iskra Development has lodged a Listed Building application with Stirling Council seeking to demolish what is left of the structure.

The developer says: “The intention is to demolish the existing building and replace with a new build.

“Discussions to date with the planning authority have focused on reconstruction of the existing building with an element of new build within the grounds of the listed building to provide necessary ‘enabling’ finance to cross fund the restoration works.

“Such discussions to date have failed to reach positive and sensible conclusions, hence the decision to demolish and replace with new build, which is the only viable alternative option left in the circumstances.”

Historic Environment Scotland will also have to give consideration to the proposal as part of the decision making process.