PLANS to create a permanent home for the Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry have taken a step closer to reality after East Lothian Council gave its approval in principle for a new venue.

The Battle of Prestonpans Heritage Trust has applied to be allowed to create a tapestry pavilion next to the bath house at Prestongrange Museum, just west of Prestonpans.

Now, the trust is looking at raising about £2million to take its plans forward.

It already has £130,000 in donations.

The industrial heritage museum at Prestongrange is run by East Lothian Council.

It is hoped that a new pavilion there could house the 104-metre embroidery, which was completed in 2010 but does not have a permanent home.

The tapestry tells the story of the Battle of Prestonpans in September 1745, which saw Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobites vanquish a Government force.

Gareth Jones, chairman of the trust, said: “The trust has been trying to enter into a partnership agreement for this with East Lothian Council for years and it became clear we needed to submit this application to identify, formally, what the key issues to developing on the site might be.

”The trust is now in a position to move forward with the negotiation of a partnership agreement with the council and, specifically, the options for a lease of the bath house and adjacent land. “It is also now looking at options for funding the new structure and the conversion works, building on the substantial donations already received.

“Once the principle of the lease has been established, we hope to be able to launch a major fundraising effort, for both the tapestry pavilion and battle centre.” The plans would see the trust build an extension to the bath house to house the tapestry, which is currently on display in New Lanark, Lanarkshire, as well as carrying out repairs to the bath house itself, which it hopes to transform into a Battle Centre, telling the history of the famous engagement.

An East Lothian Council spokeswoman said: “Following a number of meetings with battlefield trustees to discuss possible support for a pavilion, the council arranged a workshop before Christmas chaired by Joanne Orr, CEO Museums Galleries Scotland and an industrial archaeologist, to help consider the main points for the future of the site.

“The findings have helped to identify key priorities but funding options are still being considered by the trust.”