Plans have been put forward for the site of a Georgian mansion which was destroyed by fire four years ago.

Belringham House was a substantial Grade II-listed property that dominated Headcorn Road in Sutton Valence near Maidstone until it burned down in July 2021 in a blaze that could be seen for miles around.

The property’s last owner, Sydney Arthur Prall, had died leaving no relatives, and the building, which was still furnished, had stood empty for several years.

It had become a haunt for “urban explorers,” who posted online videos of its interior.

The fire that destroyed the building is believed to have been arson, although no culprit has ever been identified.

The blaze was so devastating that only a few exterior walls remained the next day, and these then had to be demolished for safety reasons because it was feared they could topple onto the road nearby.

Today, nothing remains of the three-storey building other than a pile of bricks, and the site was listed for auction in 2023.

Part of the home’s traditional stable block to the north of the main property escaped the flames, along with some more modern outbuildings, although all are in a dilapidated state.

Now the site’s new owner, Jonathan Wildash, has applied to Maidstone council for listed building consent to demolish the more recent outbuildings and to renovate the stable block and convert it into a two-bedroom home to be known as Belringham Cottage.

As well as bringing the land back into use, he says the renovation will keep alive the memory of Belringham House, which dated from at least 1841.

The stables are described as the “most significant” listed aspects of the property still remaining.

Any plans for the wider site have not yet been revealed.

Belringham sits in the Sutton Valence Conservation Area.

The redevelopment is intended to retain the agricultural style of the property, including a dummy hay-loft door.

The stables are approximately 22 metres long, five metres wide and 5.6 metres high.

Find out about planning applications that affect you at the Public Notice Portal.

Details of the Belringham application can be found on the Maidstone council website under reference number 25/502135.

Belringham House’s last owner, Mr Prall, had inherited the property from his parents.

He grew up there and went to Cranbrook School, but in adult life visited only occasionally.

He lived in Northamptonshire and, with no close relatives, left the estate to Wellingborough School where he had taught for 38 years.

He died suddenly on May 8, 2019, aged 77.