Carsebridge House in Alloa, known locally as the Dolls’ House, suffered extensive damage including the loss of its roof as a result of a fire on 29 August.

Owner Advance Construction (Scotland) had applied for consent to knock the category B-listed house down. But while waiting for permission, the firm demolished the manor on 18 September for safety reasons.

Police have launched an investigation into the unlawful demolition as well as the fire, which they are treating as deliberate.

Upon notification of the demolition works, Clackmannanshire Council said its planning officers attended the site in an attempt to halt the demolition works without success.     

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

A motion by Councillor Graham Lindsay which was unanimously approved by the council confirmed: “This building was of significant historical and architectural interest locally and nationally”.

Councillor Lindsay added: “While I appreciate that the building was in a poor condition following the devastating fire, and an application to demolish had been submitted, the demolition work last month was carried out without consent of this council. Those responsible should be held fully to account.”

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) took over the site in 2020 from beverage firm Diageo after it had lain empty since 1984. The firm said it would continue to cooperate with the police, council and partner organisations in regards to the matter.

A spokesman said the fire on 29 August caused extensive damage following years of “repeated vandalism” and “unlawful entry”.

He 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, we commissioned an independent structural engineer’s report as a matter of urgency, and it was very clear that the building could not be saved and was an immediate health and safety risk.”

The spokesman said the Health and Safety Executive advised the company that “safety takes precedence”.

He 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.”

The company has now pledged to rebuild the building on the site in a similar style using façade stone saved in the demolition. It has also offered to relocate a commemorative Doric column, called the Napoleon Pillar, to a location of the council’s choosing.

Historic Environment Scotland (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.

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