Innovative technology will harness power generated by the River Goyt weir, creating enough energy to power 70 houses each year.

High Peak Council development control committee members approved the sustainable energy scheme at their meeting on Monday.

Head of High Peak Borough Council's planning department, Adrian Fisher said: "The new development will mirror prior activity at the site.

"The historic Torr mills were built there in previous centuries to take advantage of water power."

He said the development would be sensitive to the site's archaeological significance and its role as the town's popular centre for recreation.

A structure enclosing the generator will be built in traditional stone, minimising noise created by the machinery.

The scheme, run by Water Power Enterprises, will be funded through private investment and grants.

Steve Welsh, spokesman for Water Power Enterprises, said: "Our aim is to reduce carbon emissions. This should save 4,500 tonnes of carbon per year.

"We are going to use a modern version of the old water wheels, the Archimedean Screw.

"It will be protected from large objects like trolleys and tree trunks by steel bars, and smaller things, like fish, will flow through unharmed.

"We are trying to find 30 such rivers to set up similar schemes in Yorkshire and Derbyshire."

The New Mills generator will have a 70kW capacity producing 260,000 units of electricity per year.

Councillor Chris Pearson said: "We have paid lip service to renewable energy for a long time. This scheme will use the knowledge our ancestors had that there is a lot of power coming over that weir."

Councillor Michael Harrison said: "This is an elegant solution to the problem of carbon emissions. I am happy to support this scheme provided the noise is controlled and its appearance is in keeping with the surroundings."

New planning policies encourage decision-makers to look favourably on sustainable energy developments to limit the impact of climate change.