WORK on category A-listed Harlaw Hill House, in Prestonpans, is finally under way after the elderly owner was moved out of the property.

Ward councillor Peter MacKenzie has confirmed that East Lothian Council has been able to step in to make the building wind and watertight and was now looking to secure its future.

The house (pictured), on prominent location at Harlaw Hill, has fallen into a severe state of disrepair over the years.

The road outside has been closed to traffic for more than two and a half years because the building was declared unsafe after a section of cast iron pipe fell onto the pavement.

However, negotiations between East Lothian Council and the private owner of the property have dragged on as the resident appeared unwilling to leave his home despite its dilapidated state.

It had in recent times also become the target of youths and vandals, with several windows smashed.

Mr MacKenzie told Prestonpans Community Council that the resident was now out of the building and work was being carried out to make it safe and secure.

He said: “A grant of £12,000 has been received from Historic Scotland to make the house wind and watertight and we are working towards a solution for the building.

“It is hoped the National Trust for Scotland may take it on.” Harlaw Hill House is a listed 17th-century building and has been on the Buildings At Risk Register in Scotland for several years. It has a 17th-century tower to the front and stables added in the 18th century which are of notable interest.

The mansion’s south wing collapsed in 1968 due to mining subsidence but it remained occupied despite the damage.

East Lothian Council has until recently been unable to gain entry into the house to determine the level of deterioration within the building.

A spokesperson for the National Trust for Scotland said they had no plans at this stage to take ownership of the listed building.

Harlaw Hill House is one of nine category A-listed buildings in Prestonpans, giving it one of the highest numbers of historically important buildings in a town in the county.

Among the other category A-listed buildings are Hamilton House, which the National Trust recently leased to a tenant who has agreed to carry out refurbishment work, Northfield House, Preston Tower and Prestongrange Church.

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: “The council is working with the owner and other parties on a number of options to make the building safe and trying to secure a viable future for it in the longer term.”