A BID has been submitted to take over Ilkley's historic Manor House in an effort to prevent owner Bradford Council putting the historic building up for sale.

Talks involving Ilkley Parish Council and various organisations with an interest in the Grade I listed former museum have been taking place in recent days, as officers are expected to recommend the sell-off soon.

It is feared the property in Castle Yard, part of which dates back to the late medieval period, could be lost to the community if it becomes a business or private residence.

Now it has emerged a bid has been submitted to Bradford Council to redevelop the Manor House and nearby cottages, also owned by the local authority.

The bid is expected to be put before Bradford Council's education, skills and culture portfolio holder, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, shortly.

Discussions with Bradford Council officers followed two Ilkley Parish Council debates, at which councillors had reservations about committing to take over the building when full details of the costs involved in maintaining and managing the heritage building as a community venue are not known.

Ilkley Parish Council chairman, Cllr Brian Mann, who has been part of the discussions, says influential residents – in addition to a number of town organisations – have been involved, and the intention is to set up a trust to run the landmark property.

He said: "The whole idea is in retaining the Manor House – it's essentially for a community use."

It is understood the plan, if carried forward, could also involve some commercial interest in the building.

The Manor House Museum and Art Gallery was closed in 2015, following a year of efforts to train volunteers to help staff the venue, as well as a feasibility study looking into possible future community management and use of the buildings.

Bradford Council later selected All Saints Parish Church – a neighbour of the Manor House – as its preferred partner for taking the community management plan forwards. But despite carrying out detailed studies, including discussions with a number of Ilkley organisations, the church pulled out, concluding that finance was not forthcoming.

Results of the church's studies have been made available to other organisations, which are now looking into what can be done to keep the Manor House in the hands of the community.