THE Linton Pound has been listed as a historic monument; however its future is in great jeopardy.

This prominent local landmark sits on high ground at Linton Hill with magnificent views over the surrounding countryside.

In March, Herefordshire Council issued a revised public notice requiring the owner of the pound to either demolish the pound or carry out remedial work to make it safe by Monday, May12.

However, at the time of going to press, no owner has come forward.

But due to a housing development taking place on the adjacent site the situation needs to be resolved.

A letter, written by Professor John Lancaster and signed by over 70 Linton residents, has requested that Herefordshire Council to either cancel or at least postpone their threatened action to give more time to conserve the building.

Historian Roger Davies said that a formal response to this letter is still awaited and added: “It would appear there are no title deeds and as such there is no legal record of ownership.

“However, evidence has recently been discovered at the Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre that the pound has been in the care of the 19th century Linton Vestry authorities and its successor, the Linton Parish Council.

Linton residents are now waiting to hear what Herefordshire Council’s intentions are following this new development.

An old Ordnance Survey map dating back to 1841, shows that the village pound was in a prominent position and that it probably dated back to mediaeval times and possibly earlier.

It has been suggested that the old gateway in Bartlow Road was the historical gateway to the pound and would go some way to explain why the gate is so wide, but not wide enough for a cart to pass through. Pounds were used to impound straying beasts and as a lairage back in the old droving days.