A MANOR house used for council offices has been sold subject to contract.

Moor House in Widemarsh Common, Hereford was put up for sale by Herefordshire Council last September for an asking price of £400,000.

Bruton Knowles, the agent which is selling the property, has listed the property as under offer.

There were concerns that when the house, which belonged to Florence Chave, was sold to the council there were certain caveats attached.

In documents obtained from the Land Registry, it shows Moor House was sold to the county council in May 1972 for £10,000.

Florence Chave died on December 20, 1971 and her will appointed executors, who liaised with the council.

The conveyance deed said the council and its successors in title must preserve to the best of it or their ability the structure and external appearance and character of the dwelling house, and also the old and internal parts and the staircase, not including the billiard room and greenhouse.

The deed goes on to say that not at any time to use or permit to be used the land immediately surrounding the said dwellinghouse for other than public or semi public purposes, not to use or permit to be used any part of the land forming part of the premises for any purpose which would detract from the amenities of Moor House.

The document also says that access must be given to William Evans and Co (Hereford and Devon) Ltd, which no longer exists.

Council office staff from Moor House, St Owen Street and Bath Street will move to Nelson Centre in Whitecross Road.

A Herefordshire Council spokesman said: "Moor House was acquired by the Chave family in the 1880s by William Chave.

"His daughter, Florence Chave inherited the land and buildings in 1930 following the death of her mother.

"In 1962, Herefordshire Council entered in to a contract with her to purchase Moor House from her estate upon her death, finally buying the property 10 years later."