PLANS have been submitted for the multi-million pound redevelopment of Richmond's old railway station.

Campaigners from the Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust want to turn the 19th Century building into a business and community centre.

The renovated building would include two cinema screens, conference rooms, a restaurant, offices and meeting rooms.

The redevelopment will also include a cheese manufacturing visitor centre and micro brewery.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has already pledged £690,000 towards the £2.3m needed for the work.

Yorkshire Forward has also approved a £240,000 grant and the trust continues to raise money to hit its own £300,000 target for the restoration appeal.

Donald Kline, spokesman for the trust, said he was hopeful Richmondshire District Council would grant planning permission.

He said: "We feel that we've consulted so widely about what we're trying to do, especially with the people that live in close proximity to the station, that we're covered, but time will tell."

If the plans are approved and pledges of money are forthcoming, the trust hopes building work can start by the end of the year.

Planning officers are recommending conditional planning permission be granted.

The plans will be considered at a meeting on Tuesday.

The station was shut in the late 1960s, along with other stations across the country, during the Beeching cuts.