Landmark on moor edge saved
WHITE WELLS, the famous 18th century bath-house on the edge of
Ilkley Moor, has been saved. The threat of demolition that has
hung over the familiar white-washed building has receded now with
approval, by the West Riding County Council, of plans to convert
and restore it. Damage by hooligans prompted Ilkley Urban Council
to consider demolishing the building rather than face the cost of
constant repairs.
But Menston art gallery owner Mr. Eric Busby applied to lease and
restore the house with a view to making it into a museun, art
gallery and information centre, with living accommodation.
Yesterday Mr. Busby confirmed that planning permission had been
granted - and praised the Telegraph and Argus for helping to
alert people to the risk of losing the old landmark. "I am
very thrilled to have this opportunity and hope that it will be
possible for White Wells to give people a lot of pleasure"
he said.
Cost study
"I am grateful to the Telegraph for an article printed last
November which really helped alert public interest ft and which
indirectly impressed the Ilkley Council to hold its horses."
Mr. Busby, a former director of the Bradford department store
(now Debenhams), said he hoped now to investigate the cost of
restoration and the possibility of attaining grants. He added
that he would like also to be able soon to hand over the project
to a body such as the local education authority, or the Arts
Council.
Way clear
It was too early to say exactly what could be achieved, or when,
but the way ahead was now clear for further progress. Only last
November it had seemed impossible that anything could be done.
Mr. Busby added that among the vandals who had scrawled their
names inside the building was an organisation which announced
itself to be the "Belle Isle Boys." Said Mr. Busby:
"I am informed that Belle Isle is a district of Leeds. Would
you let it be known that I would like to meet representatives of
this group on the site - I'd like to get them on my side."
£1,000 offer for landmark
A retired company director has offered to buy White Wells, a
derelict house which is a famous landmark on Ilkley Moor. For
several years the property has been a problem to its owners, the
Urban council. because of recurring visits by hooligans It is
believed to date from the18th century when it was used as
medicinal baths. Eventually Ilkley became a spa town with the
building of more hydropathic establishments. "It is a very
valuable historic building" remarked Mr. Eric Busby 72, of
Goosewell Fold, Menston, who said he would pay £1,000 for the
building had planning permission.
"It is a landmark for Ilkley, without it the moor would look
rather uninteresting," said Mr. Busby, who runs the
Goosewell Art Gallery, above which he lives. In his caretaker's
cottage next door is a stone bath of about the same date as the
two in White Wells. His first sight of the whitewashed building
was more than 50 years ago when, as a Bradfordian, he took part
in Easter Monday walks which culminated in refreshments at White
Wells. If he could buy the building he would renovate it and let
it to an artist but he does not contemplate making money from it.
But he would also be happy to see someone else buy it if this
meant it would be saved. Ilkley Urban Council rejected proposals
to convert the building into a restaurant. In the meantime it
spent £900 on having it repaired but hooligans have since caused
£400 damage. Some councillors have suggested demolition. Hubert
Dalwood, whose open air sculpture will stand behind White Wells,
described its condition as a public disgrace. The council has
postponed spending any more money on the building until its
Amenities Committee has considered Mr. Busby's offer.