PLANS for a copper-clad extension on a Grade I listed Georgian cloth hall have been approved.

And it was revealed that £7m lottery funding for the Piece Hall in Halifax was approved before planners had agreed to the scheme.

The funding was based on a planning application put before Calderdale councillors this week. Had they rejected it, the funding bid was uncertain.

And the wider £19m regeneration plans were not well received by councillors on the planning committee.

One of them, Clr Martin Peel, a Sowerby Bridge councillor, said: “I feel like there was an opportunity with this massive funding to come up with a far, far better scheme.”

The magnificent former cloth hall is the home to shops, cafes and outdoor events. This week the Yorkshire regiment paraded into the Piece Hall’s square courtyard.

Clr Peel added: “These plans have two fountains. What exactly does that add? We can go to any town and city and see fountains. There’s only one Piece Hall and that’s unique to us.

“Knocking down walls and adding a box with a copper front certainly won’t enhance the building.”

A four-story copper extension was approved. It will eventually turn green.

Six councillors approved the application and one, Clr Peel, opposed it.