Late bid to halt Peter Pan scheme

Loreburn intends to preserve the facade of the historic building

Campaigners fighting to save a mansion linked to the story of Peter Pan have made a late bid to stop overhaul works.

They have served an interim interdict on the housing association which now owns Moat Brae house in Dumfries.

Loreburn wants to preserve the facade of the building but intends to demolish much of the property to turn it into housing and a visitor centre.

However, the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust has now taken action to stop the works which were due to start this week.

Talks are expected to be held between the two groups ahead of a possible legal hearing later this week.

Local heritage

The building was the home of a school friend of JM Barrie who wrote the famous story of a boy who never grew up.

He later credited his time spent playing in the gardens of the Dumfries house as inspiration for his work.

Moat Brae had fallen into serious disrepair when it was bought by housing association Loreburn last year.

It says engineers have confirmed the building is on the brink of collapse and needs urgent remedial works.