A restoration project of a house that helped inspire the Peter Pan story has reached a major milestone.

Earlier this week, a 100-tonne crane towered over Moat Brae House in Irving Street, Dumfries for a crucial part of the Phase A construction works.

The crane lowered three central roof beams onto the house, where the author JM Barrie played as a child, and will make the 1823 Walter Newall designed house safe, wind and watertight.

The development marks a significant moment after four years of work and planning by The Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust.


Project Director Cathy Agnew said: "It's very exciting to see something so positive happening after all the deconstruction work that we've had to do to date. Today's event is a milestone which we've been looking forward to immensely. It has visibly moved the project forward. The old patient lift from Moat Brae's nursing home days has now been removed and three major central beams have been installed."

The Phase A Works are on schedule to be completed by the end of 2013.

In the meantime, Edinburgh-based architects LDN are currently working on the Phase B development. This includes designing a new build on the site between Moat Brae and JM Barrie House to accommodate contemporary visitor facilities and develop the 'enchanted land' behind the house to create Dumfries's own Neverland.

(JP/CD)