Ambitious plans have been lodged to transform historic Leslie House.

Property developer has put forward blueprints to return 17th Century home of Rothes Family back to former glory

A long-awaited new plan to transform a historic Scottish mansion into luxury flats has finally been unveiled.

Hopes have been raised that the blueprints put forward by restoration experts Byzantian Developments for Leslie House in Fife will bring an end to years of uncertainty over the land, which was known for decades as the seat of the Rothes family.

The 17th Century mansion house has been the subject of speculation for many years, particularly since 2009, when previous plans to revamp the structure literally went up in smoke when fire ravaged the building.

However, Byzantian’s plans have now been formally tabled, and locals hope the once-grand building will soon be restored to its former glory after being left to rack and ruin in more recent years.

The proposed redevelopment will “sensitively” convert the existing Leslie House to form 19 luxury apartments, with a pavilion extension joined to the existing building through a glazed link comprising eight luxury apartments and one independently accessed duplex dwelling.

This will be in tandem with a new build development of six detached houses arranged in a courtyard design to the east of the site, and two gatehouse-style properties to the west of the site.

A spokesperson for Felsham Planning and Development, which is acting as planning advisers to Byzantian Developments, said the plans will be taken on by a developer with a “clear track record”, and urged planners to grant planning permission and listedbuilding consent at the earliest opportunity.

“In summary, the site is suitable, available and viable, demonstrably effective and it can make an obvious contribution to land-supply requirements in the next five years,” the spokesperson said.

“Importantly, it also has market interest.”

Byzantian Developments purchased Leslie House and associated grounds from Edinburgh-based Sundial Properties, which had been pursuing plans to restore and convert the mansion into flats up until a suspicious fire destroyed large areas of the site.

The fire left the building as the shell which can be seen today and which has been targeted by vandals in recent years.

The latest proposals have already been welcomed by the Friends of Leslie House group, which has been campaigning to save the site for future generations.

Its members have already held discussions with Byzantian, and Mary Patrick, from the Friends group, said the designs appeared to be “very sympathetic”.

“It is now up to the public to comment and we’ll see where that takes us,” she said.

“My main aim in life was to save that house from future degradation and from being demolished. This proposal will do that and can only be a good thing.”

My main aim in life was to save that house from future degradation and from being demolished. This proposal will do that

Leslie House was destined to be converted into luxury apartments until a fire gutted the place. It may yet be returned to its former glory.

Artist impressions of Leslie House.