THE restoration of the iconic Blairtum House in Rutherglen has been recognised by a prestigious award from the Scottish Government.
There had been fears for the future of the landmark building after it became derelict and was then set on fire by vandals two years ago just as a project to renovate it had started.
But after a £3million investment by Livingston-based Rosewood Homes restored both the historic house and the surrounding grounds, the recently-finished site has won the national award for “Innovation in any architectural building or place” at the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning.
The awards celebrate achievements in planning from the detail of processing to the final result.
Rosewood Homes Construction Director Lou Lauder said he was delighted to receive the award which was presented by the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning Kevin Stewart at a ceremony in the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh.
Mr Lauder said: “South Lanarkshire Council planners were looking for something different for this site and the design team at Crawford Architectural delivered that. Working closely with planning department throughout the project helped with the success and quality of this development.
“This was a very challenging project, particularly after Blairtum House was ravaged by fire. We are very pleased our efforts in revitalising the existing building by creating new living space in it and through the homes we constructed to complement it have been recognised at this level.”
From a burned-out shell, Blairtum House was converted into a three-bedroom penthouse and two, three-bedroom luxury flats with the wider development including four, five-bedroom villas. Most of the properties have already been sold but two flats are still available.
Mr Lauder added: “We’d like to thank South Lanarkshire council who were hugely supportive from the very early stages of the development, the planning process and throughout the delay caused by the fire.”
Rosewood Homes has been involved in multiple private and public projects in central Scotland including building socially-rented accommodation for Clyde Valley Housing Association.
Rosewood Homes is backed by private equity company Coralinn LLP.
