ILKLEY'S oldest church is poised to take over the management of the Manor House Museum and Art Gallery after being selected as preferred applicant to take on the running of the Grade I listed historic landmark.

Ilkley All Saints Parochial Church Council was among four organisations which expressed an interest in the Bradford Council-owned building and neighbouring cottages, on Castle Yard, earlier this year.

The Council closed the museum to the public on April 13 and removed the artefacts from the building, in a bid to cut spending and hand the Manor House over to a community management scheme.

A decision was made by the appropriate portfolio holders on Tuesday, May 19, to confirm Ilkley All Saints Parochial Church Council as the preferred applicant.

In its application, the Parochial Church Council said it wished to provide 'a community facility that responds to the needs of Ilkley and develop the site as a popular visitor attraction.'

Vicar of All Saints, the Rev Patrick Bateman, said: "We are delighted that Bradford Council have the vision and desire to continue with the Manor House being managed from within the community, and we're honoured that they have the confidence for us to lead on this.

"We now have a six-month period for us to undertake due diligence on opportunities and liabilities, to work closely with the Council, and to consult with a whole range of other community-interest groups."

"We will develop a detailed and sustainable plan that balances respect for heritage with the needs of the people of Ilkley and our wider community."

The church is linking the opportunities provided by the Manor House to its current £1million redevelopment project.

"Combining together the overall site and facilities of the Manor House, Church, Church House, the new building and Castle Yard will enable a multi-use operation of benefit to so many people," Mr Bateman added.

The church is now preparing more detailed plans and talking to other organisations in town.

The exact conditions of the proposed community management transfer are expected to be confirmed at talks between the church and Bradford Council in the coming weeks.

Other frontrunners for managing the Manor House and its surroundings,which were identified in a Council-funded study carried out by a consultant, including the national Methodist Modern Art Collection, Ilkley Community Enterprise, and Ilkley Parish Council.

Bradford Council portfolio holder for Employment, Skills and Culture, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, said: "We are extremely grateful to the Manor House Friends and the New Manor House Group for their support in helping the Council achieve its ambition to move the site to community management.

"I look forward to working with Ilkley All Saints Parochial Church Council as we embark on a new future for the site."

New Ilkley Parish Council chairman, Councillor Brian Mann, welcomed the news, following more than a year of speculation about the future of the Manor House.

"I'm very pleased at the prospect of the church taking over," said Coun Mann.

The Parish Council gave the museum a year's stay of execution last April by contributing £13,000 of its own funding to keeping it open while a permanent solution for the building's future was found.