The conversion of the oldest surviving railway building in York into practice rooms for a brass band has been approved.
Network Rail’s plans are set to see a 19th Century water tower, in Queen Street near York Station, turned into a rehersal space for the York Railway Institute Band.
Network Rail’s Principal Development Manager Mike Stancliffe said the conversion would mean that an important piece of York’s railway history is preserved.
York Railway Institute trustee Chris Smith said he hoped they could agree a lease so they could breathe new life into the building and secure the charity’s bands’ futures.
York Council’s approval of the plans comes ahead of funding being brought together and a contractor being chosen to carry out the works.
The tower was built in 1839 and supplied steam locomotives with water from a 22,730L (5,000 gallon) from a cast iron tank on its roof.
Coke was stored on the ground floor of the building to refuel trains.
The building was part of a temporary station and it was used by the York and North Midland Railway Company while York’s first rail station was being built in the 1840s.
It was later extended and housed a foundry, foreman’s office and coppersmiths when the surrounding area was used as a locomotive works.
The water tower, which is one of the oldest surviving buildings of its kind anywhere in the world, has fallen into disrepair and is in a poor condition.
The conversion is set to see the roof in the north east part of the building which is set to house the band’s practice room repaired.
Acoustic ventillation is also set to be installed in room while a second unit will also be created and let out.
Existing features inside and outside the building are set to be replaced like-for-like where possible.
A lantern light above the room proposed for the band’s practice space would also be restored as part of the conversion.
Network Rail’s Principal Development Manager Mr Stancliffe said the site would be well-suited to housing the band’s practice room.
The manager said: “This Queen Street site was historically associated with the development of the railways and the water tower is of considerable historical interest.
“It is currently in a poor condition but it’s a striking building and can still have a big future.”
York Railway Institute trustee Mr Smith said approval of the plans followed several years of work on the project.
The trustee said: “Hopefully we can agree terms for a new lease which will enable the scheme to proceed and breath life back into an important listed building.”