PLANS to demolish a historic #2m Victorian mansion have been attacked by conservation groups.

Major David Walter is seeking permission to pull down Balthayock House, near Perth.

The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland and the Scottish Civic Trust have both objected to the proposal.

Major Walter, who farms the 1800-acre Balthayock estate, wants to tear down the 12-bedroom mansion and replace it with something smaller.

He will seek the go-ahead from Perth and Kinross Council tomorrow to bring down the 130-year-old house.

''I have been quoted a price of over #2.3m to reinstate it to its former glory, so there is really no option but to replace it. Trying to keep it in good repair is like putting a finger in the dyke these days,'' he said. ''People can become fanatical about these things, but they don't have to pay the bills themselves.

''I don't want to stir up a hornet's nest. People can become hugely enthusiastic about what to do with other people's property.''

The sprawling B-listed mansion has been unoccupied for many years and has been a regular target for local vandals.

''It is listed, but as far as I can tell it is of very little real architectural value. I think it is a mistake to list everything because it is a certain age.''

Major Walter said he planned to replace the mansion with a smaller home of more modest, practical design.

Balthayock House lies near the River Tay in Glencarse and was designed by the Dundee architect James Maclaren. Built by William Lowson, it was owned by Major Walter's grandfather Robert Wylie Hill, who founded the Wylie Hill department store in Glasgow.

At one point the family employed 14 people to run the house, which later became a private boarding school before getting into financial difficulty.

An American businessman then bought it and planned to convert it into his global business HQ before disappearing leaving a trail of debts. Major Walter, 66, took over the house nearly 40 years ago, and only briefly lived in it. He now lives on a small cottage on the estate.

The local authority's planning director Denis Munro has taken the rare step of urging councillors to approve plans for demolishing the listed property.

He said they should do so as long as Major Walter gives a firm commitment to renovate other structures on the estate - including a 14th century tower house and an A-listed cast iron bridge.