THERE continues to be much debate and discussion about what to do with the Master's House in Ledbury. A recent letter to this newspaper suggested that it be demolished. I also think that demolition should be considered seriously for a number of reasons. Firstly, the building is decaying and rapidly becoming unsafe in places. Shoring it up, as it currently is, will only delay the rate of decline.

Secondly, we are very blessed in this country, and in Ledbury in particular, to have a rich built environment heritage stretching back a thousand years or more. As a result, we have many historic buildings, monuments and sites that are lovingly maintained for current and future generations. However, not all heritage buildings should be kept as going concerns simply because they are old or played an important part in the history of an area. This may sound contraversial but I have tried to make the point succinctly here that heritage should be cherished, but not above all other things; local needs must be given weight also.

Thirdly, the government is keen for local councils to sell off buildings and assets that they no longer have need of or for. The Master's House is unsuitable for most council purposes for a number of reasons which have already been made. The Master's House could be sold as a development site - a prime location in the middle of the town. This way the council would realise a value in an otherwise crumbling asset. The site could then be leased back under a PFI or similar on the basis that a new council 'one-stop shop' be built in its place. A one-stop-shop could bring (county) council services, tourist information services and a library all under one roof. There are numerous examples of similar councils employing such a strategy to good effect and reduce running costs associated with multi-site services.

As it stands, the Master's House is an eyesore. It remains on the English Heritage Buildings At Risk Register and it serves no real purpose. Ledbury Civic Society have said that they do not want to take responsibility for the building either. Radical thinking - such as demolition - could, and I think should, be the way forward, with a clear plan for how the site would then be used.

EDWARD HOGAN, Harlequin Close, Ledbury.