A historic mansion known for decades as the seat of the Rothes family in Fife is to be turned into 28 new apartments after councillors gave restoration plans the green light.
Those behind the application for Leslie House say the development will see one of Scotland’s most “at risk” buildings brought back to its former glory, more than a decade after a fierce fire looked to have put paid to hopes it had a viable future.
The 17th century A-listed manor has been left to the mercy of the elements and has been targeted by vandals since the blaze in 2009 gutted the inside of the structure.
However, Byzantian Developments say their restoration plans will retain much of the building’s original features, while keeping the layout of the surrounding gardens and pathways largely the same.
A further eight new build homes built between two locations, the gatehouse and a low-level east garden, will sit on a former extension to the original home demolished after a 1763 fire.
Members of the central and west planning committee have approved the plans, despite concerns from locals about the development.
Leslie Community Council lodged an objection amid fears that the historic house could be “buried” within a housing estate, pointing out that the new development was in addition to 28 houses already approved a few years ago by Fife Council for construction by Muir Homes.
Nevertheless, councillors have backed a recommendation from planners to give the application the go ahead.
Case officer Katherine Pollock said experts had suggested the existing masonry shell could suffer “significant” damage within a year if it remained exposed to the elements.
Local councillor Derek Noble said he was concerned about overdevelopment of the site, the loss of over 50 trees, and the fact the council was faced yet again with an ‘enabling development’ to help fund the redevelopment of the historic house.
“I want to see Leslie House redeveloped but to redevelop a site to enable a house to be redeveloped worries me,” he said.
SNP councillor John Beare said he too appreciated that issue but felt the council is faced with what he considers to be the “least worst” option. However, he was disappointed to see the building’s south stair and orangery not included in the plans moving forward.
West Fife Conservative councillor Dave Coleman drew comparisons with Leslie House and Donibristle House in Dalgety Bay, which was subject to a similar transformation and turned into a thriving community.
“I would hate to lose such a historic building and I think this proposal goes a long way to protecting it for the future,” he concluded.
