An ambitious 2m bid to build a railway station on former industrial land has been branded as "unacceptable" by councillors.

Wallingford Town Council has opposed plans by the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway Preservation Society to develop a three-acre station complex on the edge of the town.

The society, which operates tourist trains along a former Great Western Railway branch line, plans to buy part of the Pauls Malt site, which is being wound down.

Last month, members applied to South Oxfordshire District Council for permission to change the use of part of the site from an industrial plant to a railway station. However, councillors have condemned the scale of the proposals. At present, the society uses a small part of the site for its station facilities, but members fear that if the whole site is sold for housing, they will be forced to leave.

The land is expected to cost around 1m at present industrial values, but could fetch up to 3m if approved for housing. The proposed station buildings would cost a further 1m.

Society chairman Jo Clyde, who is also a council member, remains optimistic.

She said: "It is nice to understand their objections. They have said it is too big and we accept that. However, I think we will get support for some sort of development." However, the planning committee will vote tonight on a controversial planning brief for the maltings site.

The document, prepared by planning officers, calls on councillors to consider providing part of the site to the railway society to allow it to expand.