The dismantling process began in December 2021, but Scottish Borders Council (SBC) said a number of unforeseen additional works essential to he dismantling process were subsequently discovered, contributing to the delayed completion of this phase of the project.

These works include underpinning and repair works to the exposed mutual gables the building shares with High Street and Exchange Street and extensive archaeological works which were undertaken earlier this year.

Additionally, further preparatory works including the installation of additional steel work have been incorporated into this phase of the project and will be used in the construction of the proposed future development of the site.

As a result of the additional works encountered and the associated delay to the dismantling timescale, the overall project budget has increased by £100,000.

Over £2 million will be reallocated from the council’s second homes council affordable housing investment budget to meet the additional costs for dismantling and fund the new replacement building.

A planning application has now been submitted which will allow for further design development on the new building to take place.

Once finished, the building will contain a commercial space occupying the ground level and a new apartment block of affordable housing consisting of three flats on the upper levels.

The development is expected to be completed in 2024/25.

Cllr Scott Hamilton, SBC executive member for community and business, said: “Understandably there is a lot of public interest in the progress being made a 2 High Street Jedburgh with the building occupying such a prominent spot in the centre of the town.

“SBC took control of the dilapidated building through a compulsory purchase order in 2021 after other options had been exhausted and since late last year a careful process of controlled dismantling has been taking place at the site.

“This is an extremely complex and hard to predict phase for any project, particularly one in such poor condition as this, and often throws up unforeseen issues that lead to additional unplanned work.

“As a result of the various unplanned works discovered, this phase has increased in cost by £100k and the completion pushed back to February 2023 to allow us to address them.

“Despite this, the project continues to make good progress with more detailed designs for the new replacement building to be undertaken before the end of the year.”