FORMAL plans to expand the scope of a proposed housing development at a Helensburgh seafront mansion have been lodged with Argyll and Bute Council.

Panacea Property submitted plans last summer for a development at the site of the former nursing home at Cairndhu House on Rhu Road Lower.

But the original plans have now been withdrawn, and a fresh application submitted to the council – with one extra house added to the proposals.

READ MORE: Cairndhu House in Helensburgh set for luxury conversion

That means that Panacea Property is now seeking permission for the following works:

* Demolition of the existing modern extension

* Creation of nine apartments through conversion work within Cairndhu House itself

* Two new apartments within a new extension to the existing house

* Erection of one mews house and four garden apartments in the grounds

* Associated landscaping and car parking arrangements

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It's hoped that the plans could go before the authority's planning, protective services and licensing committee in April.

The Category A-listed Cairndhu House, designed by renowned Scottish architect William Leiper, had lain abandoned for almost a decade before the plans were first revealed in July.

It was closed in 2010, having become an iconic feature of Helensburgh’s waterfront landscape.

Panacea Property has previously redeveloped another Leiper-designed property in Helensburgh – Braeholm, in East Montrose Street.

READ MORE: Planning permission granted for conversion of Braeholm into flats

Braeholm, built in the 1860s and later extended by Leiper, was erected as a private residence but over the years was used as a maternity hospital, then a retirement home and finally as a Royal Navy family centre run by the Aggie Weston's charity.

Latterly it also housed a handful of small businesses, a restaurant and a B&B before its doors closed at the end of June 2016, though a nursery, the Cottage Kindergarten, remained based at Braeholm for a further 12 months.

After unveiling its original plans for Cairndhu House, Panacea Property said: “The project will involve considerable research and investigative work before any construction starts, to ensure that the unique qualities of Cairndhu House are appropriately preserved.

“Work on the preparation of detailed conservation proposals, exploring and describing significant features and how these will be protected and repaired where required is on-going in conjunction with Historic Environment Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council.”

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