TWO millionaire transport tycoons have asked for the go-ahead to bulldoze the house at the centre of the Margaret Fleming murder trial and build new homes at the site.

Minaz Rajabali, 57, and business partner Harinder Singh Kohli, 51, have applied for permission to knock down the cottage in Inverkip, Inverclyde and build four new homes.

The businessmen, who run English-based haulage and recycling firm Slam Transport, bought the cottage for £120,000 after Inverclyde Council ruled it unfit for habitation.

The plans would see Seacroft demolished, with two four-bedroom properties built beside the road and two three-bedroom houses beside the Clyde shore.

A new road access would also be created.

A document included with the application states: "This small, but perfectly-formed development at Seacroft is wholly compliant with planning policy, design guidance and the overall strategy of reinvigoration of this part of the Clyde Coast.

"It is strongly commended to Inverclyde Council."

The bungalow was the subject of an extensive search by police who were trying to trace missing Margaret.

An extensive forensic examination took place at the site, during which the garden was dug up and divers trawled the shoreline in the hunt for Margaret.

Eddie Cairney and Avril Jones who previously lived at the property and were Margaret's carers are accused of her murder between December 1999 and January 2000.

The pair has also been accused and fraudulently obtaining more than £180,000 in benefits payments she was due, knowing she was dead.

Cairney, 76, and Jones, 58, who are both currently remanded in prison, have pleaded not guilty to a series of charges and face trial in September.

Planning bosses at Inverclyde Council are currently considering Mr Rajabali and Mr Kohli’s proposals to demolish the cottage.