One of Ilkley's most celebrated heritage buildings could be restored to its former glory after a controversial planning bid was withdrawn.

And it comes as mystery surrounds the identity of the owner of Kings Road mansion Heathcote, which was designed by Edwin Lutyens.

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.

But last year, the new unnamed owners applied to Bradford Council to turn the property into two homes, despite much opposition from heritage organisations including the Lutyens Trust, Ilkley Civic Society and the Ancient Monuments Society, while council officers also said they were against the plan.

However, the plan has now been withdrawn and a new application has been submitted, amid rumours a new owner has bought the Grade II* listed mansion.

The new application, submitted by law firm Cobbetts LLP, on behalf of the owners, wants to change the use of Heathcote from an office to a single residential building.

Few details are available about the plans, but Helen Kidman, chairman of the Ilkley Civic Society, said she was happy the old plans had been withdrawn.

“The civic society welcomes Heathcote becoming a single home again,” she said.

Mrs Kidman and others had hit out at the previous plans, submitted in August, which would have seen the interior split up to form two homes.

At the time, the great nephew of Sir Edwyn Lutyens and chairman of the Lutyens Trust, Martin Lutyens, felt changes would cause an “unacceptable harmful impact”, while Mrs Kidman said every effort should be made to keep the house in single occupation.

An unnamed third party had declared an interest in buying the home to retain it as a single property, but ownership of the mansion remains unclear.