REVISED plans to revamp a historic building could still carry a seven figure price tag.

Abingdon Town Council is set to discuss its backup plan for the Guildhall tomorrow, two months after pulling out of a £2.1m project to transform the 1960s section of the building known as Abbey Hall.

Documents released by the council this week recommend a budget of just over £1m for a completely different renovation, which would only focus on the centuries-old side and neglect any work to Abbey Hall.

It would see the staircase inside Guildhall ripped out and replaced with a lift, providing disabled access to historic rooms, including the Mayor's parlour, for the first time.

A report by town clerk Nigel Warner noted the grade two listing of the building and acknowledged removing the staircase 'appears to be quite radical', but said members must balance conservation with accessibility.

He advised the council to exercise 'financial discipline and the avoidance of 'mission creep'', ensuring they can rely solely on a grant from Vale of White Horse District Council to fund the project.

Previous plans to install a cafe and projector room in Abbey Hall failed in January after being deemed unaffordable, following price estimates that exceeded the budget by almost £1m.

Town council leader Mike Badcock said installing a lift was not previously thought possible, but analysis by a newly-enlisted architect had shed new light on the situation.

He said: "Our view on this has totally and utterly changed. The new architect was a dream and has found a way to do it within budget and has drawn up a scheme. I'm so pleased."

Architects at Leys Longden and Co are leading on the revised project instead of Lewandowski Architects, which led the cafe plan, and are set to present to the Guildhall committee at a meeting tomorrow evening.

The new plan also includes using rooms in Guildhall to display and store museum artifacts; improving toilet and kitchen facilities; opening up access to the Old Magistrates Court; creating a new corridor between Roysse Court and Guildhall; and providing wifi and a hearing loop system throughout the building.

The committee is recommended to pass the new plans and budget at tomorrow's public meeting, but they would not be officially approved until a full council meeting next Wednesday.

Mr Badcock added: "We've got to do a job that will last for half a century and we can afford to spend this. We can bring all those rooms - the Abbey Room, Abbey Chamber, Bear Room, magistrates court - back into proper use. The new architect has a refreshing outlook."

The rooms could be rented out for functions and weddings.

Residents in the town expressed disappointment after the cafe plan and a previous scheme to turn Abbey Hall into a cinema fell through.

Ruth Weinberg said the Abingdon and District National Trust Association, of which she is chair, has struggled to find an alternative meeting place since Guildhall shut in August 2015.

In a damning letter to Mr Badcock she said: "Basic upgrading such as a good sound and audio-visual system, and minimal renovation would easily fit within your stated budget.

"The downgrading of Abingdon's facilities seems wilful and intentionally destructive."

The North Abingdon resident added: "It's taking such a long time, it's absolutely unbelievable. The impression is that they have no interest in making Abingdon a vibrant community. Community facilities like Guildhall are desperately needed."

Mr Badcock said: "We are still talking about future uses for the Abbey Hall - it's not been forgotten about."

The Guildhall meeting will take place in Guildhall's Roysse Room at 7pm tomorrow.