Construction company pledges to rebuild Carsebridge House in Alloa

Police have launched an investigation into the unlawful demolition of a listed Georgian country house - as the construction company behind the bulldozing has pledged to rebuild the historic manor.

Carsebridge House in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, suffered extensive fire damage after being deliberately torched on 29 August.

The roof of the B-listed 18th century building - known locally as the Dolls' House - collapsed in the blaze.

Owner Advance Construction (Scotland) had applied for consent to knock the house down. But while waiting for permission, the firm tore it down, citing safety reasons.

Clackmannanshire Council said planning officers were alerted on the day of the demolition, and attended the site to stop the works, but were unsuccessful.

The local authority said it was considering a range of possible actions, including making a referral against the firm to the procurator fiscal.

Graham Lindsay, deputy leader of the council, accepted the building was in a poor condition following the blaze, but stated: "Those responsible should be held fully to account."

Councillors have agreed that a report on possible next steps should be prepared and presented to the planning committee.

Police Scotland said enquiries into the wilful fire remain ongoing.

The force added it is also investigating the unauthorised demolition and is working with partner agencies to "establish the full circumstances".

Advance Construction (Scotland) said it would continue to cooperate with the police, council and partner organisations in regards to the matter.

The firm said it took over the site from beverage firm Diageo in 2020 after it had lain empty since 1984 and has continued to deal with "repeated vandalism and unlawful entry".

A spokesperson said: "In April 2022, we had a bad accident during working hours whereby a teenager unlawfully entered the building, fell off the roof, and was in a coma for several days.

"This, as well as the number of individuals entering the building, has made us acutely aware of safety issues."

Following the fire, the company commissioned an independent structural engineer's report which reportedly concluded the building could not be saved and was an "immediate health and safety risk".

The firm said it consulted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and was advised that "safety takes precedence".

The spokesperson added: "Our decision to undertake this was not taken lightly and was purely based on safety issues and a concern to remove any risk to human life.

"We were also aware that it may take some time to deliver the necessary consents from the council to demolish the building, which could heighten the risk.

"We have made an offer to rebuild in the footprint of the building in a similar style and use the façade stone which we have retained."

The firm has also offered to relocate a commemorative Doric column - called the Napoleon Pillar - to a location of the council's choosing.

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According to Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the house dates from around 1799 and was part of the Earl of Mar's estate that was leased to John Bald to build and operate a distillery.

HES said census records show members of the Bald and Bald-Harvey families lived at the house into at least the late-1930s.

Carsebridge Distillery itself continued to produce grain whisky throughout the 20th century.

It closed in 1983, but the cooperage remained open under Diageo until 2011 before operations moved to nearby Cambus.

HES confirmed it had received a listed building consent consultation for the demolition of the building, but was awaiting further information on whether the surviving walls were able to be retained.

A HES spokesperson said: "Had the building been judged as safe to retain, then we would have objected to its loss."

(c) Sky News 2024: Construction company pledges to rebuild Carsebridge House in Alloa