Wakefield Council, with Castleford Heritage Trust, is submitting revised plans to the Heritage Lottery Fund this month after an application was turned down last year.

Designs for the proposed development – on the site of the current library and old market hall on Carlton Street – have been changed to help secure the cash. The Forum will house a new museum, library, exhibition gallery and community space.

Alison Drake, chairman of Castleford Heritage Trust, said: “We were very disappointed our first bid was rejected – we think the designs were seen as unworkable.

“The new designs now feature a two rather than three-storey structure – but we are adamant that the library and old market hall’s historic frontage will remain.

“A two-floor design will not include all the facilities we want, such as a wonderful space for high quality exhibitions, learning and meetings, so we are still working to find extra funding for a third floor.”

Niall McLaughlin Architects is creating the designs after winning an international competition run by Wakefield Council and the Royal Institute of Architects.

Castleford councillor Tony Wallis, of the Friends of Castleford Library, said: “We’re hoping this application will be succcessful – a good library is a sign of a good community.

“The museum will be of great use and interest to people, especially with Castleford’s Roman history.”

The Forum is part of the Castleford Project regeneration scheme to revamp the town.

A spokesman for Wakefield Council said: “We are preparing a funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for submission in March.

“This is a key element of the Forum’s funding strategy and we will apply for planning permission at the end of this year.

“We aim to start construction in autumn 2009 and to complete the building in October 2010 for opening early in 2011.”