AN OLD Basing doctor has told residents the village will have no surgery at all if his ambitious plans for a new health centre are unsuccessful.

Villagers are divided on Dr Tony Weaver's application to build the state-of-the-art health centre and chemist on the corner of Milkingpen Lane and Manor Road.

While many are backing the plans, others are worried about the potential increases in traffic that any development would bring.

Plans for the centre include a chiropodist, homeopath, chiropractor and chiropodist. To help fund the project Dr Weaver intends to build eight flats on the same site, and four detached houses on the opposite corner of the road.

Dr Weaver said the income from these properties would also fund a number of road improvements in Milkingpen Lane which the highway authority have informed him are necessary.

He said: "We have looked at at least nine other sites all over Old Basing, yet none has been suitable until this one.

"We believe what we've come up with will be an asset to the village. We've approached the county council at the earliest opportunity.

"My primary concern is to build a new surgery - I've been practising here for 20 years and I want to stay in Old Basing. I've grown very fond of my patients.

"However, if this application is unsuccessful then I can't see me submitting another one because I've explored every possibility."

Dr Weaver has been looking for a site to build a new surgery in Old Basing for three years because his current practice in Linden Court does not meet health and safety regulations.

Hampshire Primary Care Trust has told him they will not pay the rent on the property when its lease expires in 2005.

Ward councillor Alan Read said he was not against the principle of a new surgery, but had objected to this application.

He said he saw problems with the density and design of the proposal.

He also questioned Dr Weaver's motives in submitting so many applications for residential properties.

"In my view this is a gross overdevelopment of the site," said Cllr Read. "This is a conservation area and I don't think the design is compatible with that.

"I am also very concerned about the highway implications. Milkingpen Lane is already a busy road, but a new surgery, a pharmacy and several new properties would generate a lot of traffic and could be dangerous.

"There is trouble with existing sight lines. It would also have implications for pedestrians - there is no footway and I can't see one being put in. There are a lot of children walking to school.

"I'm not sure about his motives - I think he's trying to make a killing and play to the sympathies of the people in the village."