ONE of Ilkley's most famous landmarks could receive the 'millennium treatment' and be restored to its former glory.

Ilkley Tarn has been part of the town since 1870. It was created from Crag Dam, originally a small pond surrounded by bogs.

It was landscaped in the 1870s and provided with seats and a shelter. It was used to supplement the flow of water to the two mills in Mill Ghyll.

More than 100 years since the Tarn's creation, members of the town's tourist management committee believe it is time for a serious clean-up.

Committee secretary Miggy Bailey, said: "I really believe this could be a very worthwhile millennium project. I think it would be one of those projects which would need to be community led."

The Tarn has had a number of uses since its creation. A patch of ground on the far side has been used at various times as a stage and a bandstand.

Mrs Bailey said: "It really is a lovely area, an area which we should make the most of."

"It could be ones of those projects where we get a variety of community groups involved, such as Ilkley in Bloom. Perhaps the naturalists could help produce a nature trail up there," she said.

Mrs Bailey's desire to see Ilkley Tarn restored to its Victorian best has been echoed by Ilkley parish councillor Roy Fox (Lab, Ilkley South).

Coun Fox said: "I think it is important that this important piece of our history is looked at."

Coun Fox said the project would not come cheaply. "Bradford Council has told us it will cost about £12,000 to repair the Tarn. It is still leaking and a number of trees, not there when it was created, are causing problems," he said.

"There is some lovely old Victorian lighting up there which could also be restored," said Coun Fox.

Mrs Bailey would like to see the Tarn more accessible for people to enjoy. "One of the priorities, if the scheme went ahead, would be to make it more accessible for the disabled," she said.

Coun Fox said the proposal would be discussed at the next meeting of Ilkley Parish Council's millennium committee.

Should the Ilkley Tarn proposal eventually be accepted, the question of who pays for it remains.

Coun Fox had proposed that Ilkley Parish Council set a one off precept for millennium projects in the Ilkley district, based on one pound in band 'D' on the Council Tax scale. However, his fellow councillors defeated the motion.

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