A HERITAGE railway in Hampshire has reapplied to expand part of its operation at Ropley railway station.

The Mid-Hants Railway wants to build a campsite and six holiday chalets, parking for a further 28 cars and a new toilet block on farmland off Bighton Hill.

It also wants to build a miniature sit-down railway, engine shed, turntable and signal box.

The revamped application has moved the location of the chalets and removed the provision for caravans on the site. It has since attracted 39 letters against it and 38 for it.

One objector, who asked not to be named, said: "There is a great deal of concern voiced by local residents and others in the village as we feel that the whole project smacks of "theme park" and that the access to the proposed car park via Bighton Hill and the access on to the A31 is not only unsuitable but positively hazardous."We seem to be constantly surrounded by planning applications in this rural area, if it isn't one person trying to hoodwink their way into building houses, its others wanting campsites or heavy industrial sites, holiday camps and car parks."

The plan is being considered by East Hampshire District Council. The deadline for objections is February 17.

A spokesman for the Mid-Hants Railway, said: "We need to improve our facilities in order for us to grow as an attraction. "We also have car-parking issues which have been a problem for years. It's so that we can increase our passenger numbers on the railway."

The Alresford based steam railway, also known as The Watercress Line, was famous for taking watercress from Alresford and the surrounding area up to London to be sold. It runs between Alresford and Alton.