AN historic house in Glasgow’s west end has been demolished, prompting a probe by council planning enforcement officers.

Described as a “truly unique mews property” by estate agents before it was sold for more than half a million pounds in 2014, 11 Kirklee Terrace Lane had category A-listed status.

The two-storey home adjacent to the Botanic Gardens was one of several homes just off Great Western Road which were designed and built by architect Charles Wilson in the mid-1800s.

It went on sale for offers over £550,000 and sold for £605,000 in August 2014. Council planners rubber stamped plans for a single storey extension three months later.

But bulldozers tore down the structure last week, leaving neighbours shocked and Historic Environment Scotland reeling.

A source at the government agency which gave the building A-listed status said: “Demolition has to go through the determined process and buildings are listed for a reason – to recognise their historic, cultural and architectural significance.

“We had some contact from members of the public and our advice to them was we don’t have a formal role in the process but we pointed them towards the council enforcement team.

“My understanding is by the time enforcement got there demolition had begun. The council will now have to decide whether to issue a notice of prosecution.”

When the home went on the market in 2014, Kirklee Terrace Lane was billed as a “hidden village” with a “particularly peacefully quiet rural ambience”.

The estate agent listing said: “A very rare opportunity to purchase a truly unique property. Originally built as coach houses for Kirklee Terrace, the grade A-listed mews houses which form Kirklee Terrace Lane do not change hands often and number 11 is one of the largest homes within the lane.

“Although described as a mews property, it is in fact a substantial two-storey period house of sandstone construction with a private garden. Though now part of the mews courtyard it is thought originally to have been built as a freestanding estate farmhouse before the development of the Kirklee area.”

A spokesman for Registers of Scotland said the property was purchased from Alan Crumlish by Michel and Margaret Soukop for £605,000 on August 22 2014.

One local resident, who asked not to be named, said the couple are “very nice people” but criticised the demolition.

“I’m furious that this has happened on my doorstep and I’d be equally angry if it was anywhere else,” she said.

Another resident added: “We are all concerned about this.

“It could affect the value of our properties and it certainly affects the integrity of our lane.”

A spokesman for Historic Environment Scotland said: “We understand that Glasgow City Council’s planning enforcement team is investigating the case.

“Historic Environment Scotland has been kept up to date by the council but we have no formal role at this stage.”

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “This is a serious matter, and council officers have already had formal discussions linked to legislative requirements. We await a response on the legislative and physical resolution of the matter.”

It is understood a retrospective application for demolition will have to be made.

Michel and Margaret Soukop could not be reached for comment.