Ilkley mansion Heathcote to be a home once more (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Ilkley mansion Heathcote to be a home once more

9:00am Wednesday 23rd May 2012 in Ilkley

A celebrated heritage building can be restored to its original use after a long-running planning battle came to an end.

The owners of Ilkley mansion Heathcote, which was designed by Edwin Lutyens, had originally applied to turn the villa into two homes, despite opposition from heritage organisations including the Lutyens Trust, Ilkley Civic Society and the Ancient Monuments Society.

However, the application was withdrawn and another, asking permission to turn the Grade II*-listed property on Kings Road into one home has now been approved by Bradford Council.

The house, dating from 1906, was sold by service company NG Bailey early in 2011 with a £2.5 million price tag, after serving as offices for the firm since 1958.

The identity of the new owner has not been confirmed, but a decision letter to law firm Cobbetts LLP, which made the application on behalf of the owner, states: “The proposal is solely for the change of use of the building to a single dwelling which would restore the original intended function of this special building and pave the way for future restoration and conservation.”

An application to turn two cottages on the site, also used as offices, back into homes is now being considered by the Council.

The plans have drawn criticism from the Lutyens Trust, which “objects strongly to the piecemeal breaking up of the estate”.