An empty 19th century cemetery lodge will find a second life as a house.

The lodge at Utley Cemetery, Keighley, was an on-site office for Bradford Council before it was shut last year as part of cost-cutting measures.

And shortly before Christmas the council submitted a planning application to turn it into a house. Planning officers decided that converting the building would prevent it from becoming empty on a long term basis.

The planning report said: “The re use of this building for residential occupation is in the interests of local amenity and the preservation of this unlisted but attractive heritage asset.

“A failure to ensure continued occupation of this building would likely result in its deterioration and damage due to anti social behaviour and theft of materials.”