Wall collapse risk highlighted at historic house

The historic house regularly hosts the Borders Book Festival

Plans have been lodged to tackle the risk of a boundary wall collapse at a historic building in the Borders.

Harmony House in Melrose is category B listed and regularly hosts the Borders Book Festival.

The proposals would see a section of the wall partially demolished and reinstated.

A report said the potential risk of harm to the public was increased by the fact that the boundary wall was shared with a nearby school.

The two-storey building dates back to 1807 and is enclosed by garden walls about 3m (10ft) in height.

Harmony House is close to the Melrose's famous abbey

It sits near Melrose Abbey and is next to St Mary's School.

Problems have now emerged with part of its west wall which a heritage impact statement said needed to be addressed.

Temporary supports have been put in place on a stretch of about 25m (80ft) which is described as unstable and "at risk of collapse".

The wall is said to require "careful demolition and full reconstruction".

Photographs will be taken prior to it being taken down in order to recreate it as close to the original as possible.

An application has now been lodged with Scottish Borders Council to allow the work to proceed.