An ambitious plan to transform a burnt-out historic Aberdeen mansion into flats has been reduced to ashes after being thrown out by councillors.
Kepplestone House, in the west end, was engulfed in flames in October 2014, destroying sections of the listed property’s roof.
Nobody was injured, and three schoolboys were later charged with wilful fire-raising.
A planning application was launched by Stewart Milne Homes last July to demolish part of the 19th century building, extend it and convert it into four homes and seven flats.
Views have been mixed on Viewfield Road, where the mansion is located, with some calling the damaged building “an eyesore” while others argue listed buildings must be protected.
Officers recommended that members of the planning committee refuse the application amid concerns it did not fit in with the surrounding area.
A report to councillors read: “The proposals to alter and extend the remaining ‘farmhouse’ and for the erection of the new building and associated car parking are not acceptable due to the scale and position of the proposed extensions to the ‘farmhouse’ as they would engulf the majority of the eastern and southern elevations, covering more than 50% of the building thereby greatly reducing the visible amount of the original structure of the listed building thereby losing its identity and character.
“The replacement building does not respect the surrounding context and fails to achieve adequate siting, form and height and does not align itself so that it terminates appropriately the existing arrangement of buildings and the townscape.”
Members voted unanimously to reject the proposal.
Commenting following the decision yesterday, committee member Alan Donnelly said he hoped fresh plans would be brought forward soon.
He said: “It’s an absolute eyesore and we should really snatch the hand off anyone trying to develop it.
“In this case however our officers felt the development wasn’t in keeping with the character or history of the site.”
Local councillor Martin Greig added: “Local people want this developed but not like this.
“The proposal was poor and ill-thought through and the developers need to go back to the drawing board.”