PLANS for a new health centre in Basingstoke have gone on display.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council wants to spend £3.2million to build a new South Ham doctors’ surgery, dental practice and a pharmacy on the site of St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Western Way.

Under the plans, the church will sell a chunk of its land for a nominal fee to accommodate the new health building. In return, a new church and hall will be built on the remainder of the site after the existing church is demolished.

The new doctors’ surgery will replace two existing surgeries run by Dr Hudson and Partners – one in Paddock Road, South Ham, and the other in Moorhams Avenue, Hatch Warren. If approved, it will have seven consulting rooms.

As part of the new set-up, dental practice Sharma, Laljee and Associates would move from its Paddock Road base into the new centre.

The borough council is not responsible for health services but had the capital to buy the land and build the facilities, subject to planning permission. It will rent the premises to the healthcare providers.

The move follows a long-standing wrangle over where a new surgery for South Ham could be sited.

Councillor James Lewin, Cabinet member for finance, property and performance, said: “We are using council money well to provide facilities that will bring a real benefit for the community.

“The new centre has the facilities to provide a 21st century service to people, and investing in this way will also bring in a satisfactory return on public money.

“It is a prudent use of public funds which will benefit everyone in Basingstoke.”

The plans will be on display at the surgeries in Paddock Road and Moorhams Avenue until the end of the month. There will also be a consultation event at St Andrews Church on February 21 and 22.

The proposals can be viewed online at basingstoke.gov.uk/go/yoursay.