WORK has finally begun to restore and save one of the most significant inhabited buildings at risk in Wales.

The Argus reported last year how the Landmark Trust, which took over Llwyn Celyn in 2012, a Grade I-Listed medieval hall house, near Abergavenny, secured £2.5million from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the project.

The rare medieval building at Crucorney Fawr, which is less than six miles away from Llanthony Priory, is regarded as one of the most remarkable of all surviving late medieval houses in Wales dating back to the late 15th century.

Continuously inhabited since it was built around 1480, Llwyn Celyn has scarcely changed since a floor was inserted into its open hall in the 17th century.

The future of the building has been hanging in the balance for decades and it has been in an extreme state of disrepair, with scaffolding surrounding it since the early 1990s.

The funding means the Landmark Trust, which is a building preservation charity, has begun work to save and restore the main house to create self-catering holiday accommodation and to repair and convert outbuildings into education and interpretation centres for use by the local community and public.

Specialist architect John C Goom Architects will breathe new life into utilitarian farm buildings, ensuring the wonderful medieval hall house retains its true spirit and character.

The project will be overseen by Richard Burton, project manager for the Landmark Trust.

Mr Burton said: “The restoration and repair of Llwyn Celyn is one of Landmark’s most ambitious projects.”

“It is currently in a very precarious state, supported by scaffolding and exposed to the elements, but we absolutely believe it is worth intervening before it disappears from the Welsh landscape and the nation’s history forever.”

The total cost of the restoration project is £4.2million. In addition to the £2.5million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Trust has raised almost £1.3million with the help of its supporters.