A MULTI-million pound makeover of a neglected building is one step closer to starting.

Plans have been lodged for the £2.1m transformation of the Guildhall building in Abbey Close, which closed in August ahead of renovation works.

Abingdon Town Council, which owns the building, has submitted its application to Vale of White Horse District Council for the highly-anticipated revamp.

Dennis Garrett, chairman of the Guildhall committee, said: "It will be a revitalised public amenity providing facilities and events which we hope will appeal to a broad section of the town.

"The new cafe bar will be a facility for people in Abbey Meadows and for people using the Abbey Hall and historic part of the building. We have had a very good response from the Abingdon College and District Film Society about the cinema screening facility who are helping with that."

As discussed in meetings, the plans include a new glass-fronted cafe and bar area and modernised communal areas for functions, plus a screening area with foldaway chairs.

Bike racks, greenery and blue and pink feature lighting are also included in the plans.

A decision is due on May 17, one year before councillors hope to complete building work.

The application includes three-dimensional drawings of the building which have not been released to the public before.

Despite previous objections from former town councillor Jim Halliday, who raised concerns about disabled access, the architects still intend on removing concrete ramps at the front and rear of the building.