Church leaders have warned that plans to introduce tax on heritage buildings renovations risk damaging communities across the district.

And people living in listed buildings – including hundreds of “ordinary folk on low wages” living in Saltaire’s World Heritage site – will also be hit hard by Government plans to add 20 per cent to the cost of building alterations, it is claimed.

The Government has said it was ending a system that allowed millionaires to install pools without paying VAT. However, Sylvia Johnson, a spokesman for Bradford Church of England Diocese, said its leaders were “deeply concerned” about the consequences.

She said: “We understand that the policy was primarily aimed at alterations to listed houses, with no thought given to the serious consequences for listed places of worship.

“These buildings are maintained by volunteers and voluntary giving. Moreover, a very large proportion of the alterations are concerned with making these buildings viable for use by the wider community by installing meeting rooms, lavatories and kitchens.”

VAT is already levied on repairs to churches, cathedrals and other listed buildings, but under the proposals “approved alterations” – such as new disabled access, plumbing systems and substantial changes that affect the structure – will also be subject to the 20 per cent tax.

John Huxley, chairman of the Haworth Future Committee, said it had so far raised £80,000 – and still needs £34,000 – for restorations at the Grade II-listed Haworth Parish Church where Charlotte and Emily Bronte are buried.

He said that when the 20 per cent VAT rise is brought in, the church could face paying £36,000 in extra tax and that the group was “watching the situation closely.”

Mr Huxley said: “Quite clearly, it could have a massive impact on us if we were unable to recover the full amount of VAT.”

Residents living in Saltaire – a protected World Heritage Site – will also have to pay the new tax on alterations including replacing new windows and doors, and plans for alterations at the United Reformed Church, where Sir Titus Salt is buried, may also be affected. Rob Martin, chairman of Saltaire Village Society, yesterday said he was writing to Shipley MP Philip Davies to highlight concerns.

Mr Davies said: “I not only understand the concerns but I share many of them as well.”

More than 15,000 people have already signed an e-petition calling for Chancellor George Osborne to reconsider the plan.

Church leaders are due to meet ministers at the Treasury tomorrow.

The e-petition is available at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/32229 and the Government consultation ends on May 4.