FORMER Rangers manager Ally McCoist is bidding to demolish a dilapidated house in his street and build a new £1 million mansion in its place.
The 53-year-old wants to swap his current home for a new bespoke property on the site just a few yards away.
McCoist and neighbour Jeffrey East teamed up to buy the derelict building and its 2.5 acres of grounds after it fell into disrepair in a bid to protect their own homes and stop developers getting their hands on it.
The 112-year-old building in Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, has suffered from years of unoccupancy, neglect, lack of maintenance and vandalism, including fire, and is infested with wet and dry rot.
It has been estimated by experts that it would cost the pair more than £2 million to restore the B-listed property, known as Hermiston, to its former glory.
McCoist and Mr East have instead decided to try to replace it with two new homes for themselves which they intended to move into after selling their current homes on the street, which overlooks a golf course.
A planning application has been submitted to Renfrewshire Council to demolish the property, known as Hermiston, in the conservation area.
A report submitted to the council by McCoist’s planning consultants Stewart Associates states: “If it is accepted that the restoration of Hermiston is simply not financially viable, the option of demolition and the creation of a new sympathetic development should be considered.
“Having discussed the financial implications of the project, the co-owners would prefer to develop the new houses, releasing theirs for open market sale.
“This allows them to remain in their favoured location, effectively ‘control’ the development of Hermiston in conjunction with Renfrewshire Council and arguably improve the diversity, amenity and value of the outstanding conservation area.
“It would also address ongoing public safety issues in and around Hermiston – a matter of concern for the other residents in the area.”
Plans for McCoist’s proposed new home show it will be a two-storey property with a games and cinema room, a double garage and a balcony.
He also plans to have a row of trees planted to screen his new home from the road. He and Mr East purchased the derelict building for Pounds 600,000 in 2013.
A decision is due to be made on the planning application later this year.
McCoist bought his current home on the street, a 100-year-old six bedroom property with a five-a-side football pitch, for £800,000 in 2005.
The Rangers record scorer stepped down from his role as manager at the club in December 2014 following a poor run of results and amid upheaval in the boardroom.
He has since worked as a television pundit but last month said that he was keen to get back into football management.
The dad-of-five married long term partner Vivien Ross in New York in May, 2014.
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