It runs for about 200m from St Mary's churchyard to Mucky Lane near the railway station alongside the remains of the ancient London to York road through the heart of Melton.

The Town Estate has been trying for two years to get the wall rebuilt and has secured a grant from English Heritage to cover half the estimated £48,000 cost.

But the charity says it cannot act until Melton Council agrees to support the work.

However, Melton Council insists the work would be 'premature' as it hopes to build its new headquarters on the town station site, on the Burton Road side of the wall, and wants to consult the public about what to do with the top half of the site.

Town Estate feoffee John Southerington says he has the backing of the town's civic and historical societies, while Everards Brewery, owner of the Anne of Cleves which backs onto the wall, is prepared to make a contribution.

He said: "We have been given the run-around and I'm worried another part of Melton's heritage could be lost.

"The wall is historic and the road itself goes back to Anglo-Saxon times. Richard the Lionheart is known to have ridden along it."

Mr Southerington added that when developer Sutherland Walk was granted planning permission for the site one of the conditions was that the wall should be retained to a height of 2.4m in line with the council's own policy 'to protect traditional features considered important to the character of the Conservation Area'.

A council spokeswoman said ownership was unclear so the boundary had to be considered a party wall and the two sides had to agree on how to proceed.

"We need to consult the public. For instance, would they like to see additional development in the Burton Street gap (between Newton Fallowell and Connexions) or the whole site retained for car parking?

"What should be done with the wall will depend on potential development of this site. We consider what the Town Estate is proposing is therefore premature. The problem at the moment is that our timelines don't match."

*What do you think? Should the wall be rebuilt as it was, a solid structure 2.4m in height, or would a lower wall with railings to afford views of Play Close be preferable? Vote online or send your write, email or text us your view.