THE former Tadley sorting office could become a vets’ surgery if a planning application currently lodged with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is approved.

The application is for the relocation of O’Gorman, Slater, Main and Partners, currently based in Old Kiln House, Silchester Road.

The 15 staff would move to the former sorting office in Newchurch Road. The proposal is for three consulting rooms as opposed to the current two in the Silchester Road site, an x-ray suite, operating theatre and prep room.

Peter Eastwick-Field, partner at the practice, said it was hoped it would eventually be possible to keep animals in overnight at the site.

The Silchester Road premises are currently rented by the practice from Sainsbury’s, while the Newchurch Road site has been vacant since the middle of April when Royal Mail closed the former sorting office despite a year-long campaign to save it as a delivery office.

A decision is expected to be made about the vets’ application by Basingstoke and Deane borough council by November 12.

Mr Eastwick-Field said: “We are very excited about the prospect of getting planning permission.

“We have been in Tadley for nearly nine years and we have grown extensively so we are looking forward to having larger premises and being able to offer a bigger and better practice.”

He said if all goes to plan the new surgery could open in the New Year.