A MEDIEVAL tower and doocot will be given a  near-£1million refurbishment after East Lothian councillors agreed to  fund the project.

A meeting of the cabinet approved plans to take funding earmarked for a controversial car park plan in Haddington and use it to improve Prestonpans instead.

Councillors agreed to shelve the proposed long-stay car park on Whittingehame Drive and instead use £900,000 in Scottish Government town centre funding to help restore Preston Tower and the doocot to inject new life into Prestonpans.

Cabinet members were told that the funding had to be used by September next year and the original plan for the car park would not meet the deadline while the Prestonpans project would.

The car park had also met with objections from some Haddington business owners and traders, who launched a campaign against the plan.

Preston Tower dates back to the 14th century. The doocot on its land was built in the mid 17th century after Oliver Cromwell had sacked the tower, which has a pit-prison and stands four storeys high.

Councillor Fiona O’Donnell, Preston Seton Gosford ward, said: “This shows this is a council that listens to the community. I really think this is great news for Prestonpans, it is a community rich in its heritage.”

Andrew Crummy, chairperson of local heritage project Salt of the Earth, welcomed the decision.

He said: “As one of the National Lottery’s Great Place Projects, we recognise the importance of heritage, both for the building itself and for the communities around it.

“Preston Tower is a building of real significance not only at the heart of Prestonpans, but also of national importance which will potentially attract a wide visitor base.”

Town centre funding has already been committed to improve the area around Prestonpans War Memorial and Tranent CARS project.