SUPPORTERS of Ilkley's White Wells Spa Cottage are celebrating victory in their fight to keep it out of 'foreign' hands.

Ilkley residents Mark Hunnebell, 36, and Joanne Everall, 33, have been chosen as the new cottage tenants by Bradford Council.

The council's countryside service will retain responsibility for the cottage but it is keen to encourage greater 'local' involvement. This could lead to the formation of a Friends of White Wells group - comprising interested parties such as the parish council and Ilkley Civic Society.

The parish council had expressed its opposition to responsibility being transferred to the Bradford Buildings Preservation Trust, the group which has taken on the management of the two chapels in Ilkley cemetery. The Trust had approached Bradford Council with a view to taking on the building.

However, Ilkley councillors believed it was important the cottage should not be allowed to fall into the hands of anyone not directly connected with the town.

Coun Kate Brown, chairman of Ilkley Parish Council, said: "We are very pleased the cottage has new tenants, particularly as they are from Ilkley. The parish council would very much like to be involved in the discussions about a Friends of White Wells project."

She said it was now up to everyone in Ilkley to retain a keen interest in the cottage and ensure its future success.

The delighted new tenants are expected to move in next month.

They are no strangers to the cottage, having stood in for previous tenants, Derek and Christine Arnold, when they went on holiday.

Mr Hunnebell said: "Joanne and I are both excited and nervous about the move to White Wells."

Both have been regular visitors to White Wells over many years and they are looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

Mr Hunnebell, a retail jeweller by trade, said: "We will be looking to create our own style but we will not be doing anything drastic," he said.

They are hoping to welcome their first visitors at the start of April.

Coun Phil Thornton, deputy executive member for transportation and planning, said: "We are delighted to be opening White Wells again with new tenants. We know how much visitors to the moor appreciate this facility and we hope the new tenants will settle in quickly."

Coun Thornton said the council had a good working relationship with the Bradford Buildings Preservation Trust but had decided to retain control of responsibility of the cottage after listening to the views of local people.

He said: "We decided that in this instance, with a property as unique as White Wells, it would be better if the council's countryside service retained management responsibility while exploring other options for additional funding and local involvement."

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