PLANS to re-roof a village mill have been approved, despite planning officers admitting the work will lead to a “loss of authenticity” for the building.

The application to replace the roof at Cullingworth Mills, off Greenside Lane, was submitted to Bradford Council by C Harney. The plans said the roof works were needed to make the four-storey building watertight, and that the existing traditional blue slate roof would be replaced with a sheet metal roof.

The application said: “Re-roofing in natural blue slates is not financially viable due to the low rental value of the building.”

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Approving the application, planning officers said: “The replacement roof materials would have a visual impact, the roof being visible from both Halifax Road and Greenside Lane. There would be a loss of authenticity to the mill building, removing a natural roofing material which is consistent with the stone elevations.”

But they added: “The continued longevity of the building is reliant on it being watertight and the cost of carrying out these works using blue slate would be prohibitive.

“The use of metal sheeting to the roof is a more financially affordable option whilst not causing significant harm to the design and appearance of the building.”