Workers in St. George's historic Post Office will soon have a roof over their heads.

The Ministry of Works and Engineering has received final Planning approval to replace the roof which was torn off in June - inciting a row between the Ministry and Old Town preservationists.

The Development Applications Board approved the replacement of the roof over the main building and verandah at its meeting on September 12.

The Ministry has been asked to submit a separate application with regards for a building permit before construction can begin.

The St. George's Preservation Authority was outraged when work crews tore the roof from the Post Office earlier this summer and called the move a "desecration".

The Authority said the 'Grade 2' listed building was subject to special consideration and that no work should have taken place without its consultation.

It later emerged that the Ministry had not filed for Planning permission prior to tearing off parts of the roof.

The preservation group then slapped an injunction on the Government crews - halting work altogether.

But the two groups came to the negotiating table and the injunction was removed shortly after.

The Post Office was originally constructed as a jail in 1760 and stands on the site of the Island's first prison, built by Governor Nathaniel Butler in 1622. After the controversy, the Ministry filed for retroactive Planning approval in July.

In addition to replacing the roof, Works and Engineering applied to replace the lower level windows.

Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott told The Royal Gazette his officers are now working closely with preservationists to match new work to the building's historical record.

According to submitted plans, Works and Engineering intends to replace the roof with nonexposed, standard, structural lumber, to redo exposed verandahs and rafters in Bermuda cedar and to restore masonry details on a wall plate.