A retired British Army major has spoken of his frustration after he was refused permission to demolish his derelict ancestral home.

Major David Walter said he is unable to sell Balthayock House near the River Tay or pay the �2.3m needed to repair it and he has been denied a request to knock the B-listed building down.

The situation has reignited debate about whether or not all listed buildings should be preserved.

The Scottish Executive's intervention to stop demolition was welcomed by conservation groups, but Major Walter, 69, said he can see no justification for allowing the 130-year-old building to remain.

Major Walter: "I wish I had blown it up"

He told the Scotland on Sunday newspaper: "The house is becoming increasingly dangerous and it is only a matter of time before someone is injured or killed.

"Since I am not being allowed to demolish it, I hope the people who made that decision will now take responsibility if that happens.

"This is my family home and I care more than anyone what happens to it, but I now wish I had just blown it up."

The major inherited the building in the 1960s but by that stage it was already deteriorating because of dry rot and declined further when leased as a private school.

An American businessman then promised to restore the building, which was built in 1870, but he caused more damage and left debts in his wake.

Property vandalised

Major Walter said all of his money went into maintaining the 1,700-acre estate work which meant there was nothing available for restoring the property.

Vandals attacked the property and in 1998 Major Walter said he applied to Perth and Kinross Council for consent to demolish it.

A few months later, his former main home on the estate was destroyed by fire, which threw the issue of what happened to the Balthayock House site into focus.

He said: "If I could build a new house there to replace what is in effect a not very distinguished dwelling, then Balthayock could once again become the beating heart of the estate."

Major Walter currently lives in a cottage on the estate and said time to act is "running out".

Scottish Executive reporter Janet McNair decided that the house should remain when Historic Scotland objected to the demolition.

Conservationists say the house should stay

In her judgement, she said: "Balthayock House, even now, is an imposing building in an equally imposing setting."

It was "unarguably" in a poor state but was an important listed building and could be restored.

Jane Nelson, of the Scottish Civic Trust said: "We are pleased the reporter came to the right decision but what we want to know now is what happens next.

"Will the owner be forced to make repairs, as should have happened a long time ago, or will the council just let the present situation continue until the building falls down on its own?"

Perth and Kinross Council said the decision lies with Major Walter.

The Scottish Landowners Federation said it was unrealistic to expect all of Scotland�s old listed houses to be saved and has supported the major.

A Stirling landowner faces criminal prosecution after demolishing a 200-year-old listed mansion without consent.

Stirling Council has asked the procurator fiscal to take action against Alastair Dickson, who knocked down Lanrick Castle near Doune, on 16 February.

Mr Dickson said the building had been in a dangerous condition after being hit by storms.