Plans to bring a new pub dental surgery, care home, retirement homes and a care facility to Beggarwood will soon be decided.

An application to build a 70 bed care home, 42 retirement homes, a pub and a dental surgery on ‘The Island’ site in Beggarwood Lane, was submitted to the borough council by developer Grainger Plc.

The site, which is currently vacant, had previously had an application to build a pub on it withdrawn in 2006.

However, in the officers report it is believed this new application would make “efficient use of land”.

In the officers report it said: “The proposed development would deliver community facilities, specialist accommodation and housing development, making efficient use of land within a sustainable location sitting contiguous with the settlement policy boundary of Basingstoke.

“The proposed development would result in loss of Structural Open Space and have an impact on the local landscape character but would mitigate that impact through provision of new landscaping and biodiversity enhancements, whilst delivering wider benefits to the community in a sustainable location.”

In the application it is proposed that the specialist care facility would be for people with complex care needs, including those who may be suffering from severe dementia, have suffered a stroke or may be suffering from brain injuries.

It also states that the proposed pub would be run by un by the Hall and Woodhouse chain which already runs an array of pubs in and around Basingstoke including the Portsmouth Arms.

However, the plans have been met by some scepticism by some residents, with many calling for the application to be rejected by the borough council.

Oakley and North Waltham ward councillor, Cllr Rob Goulding said: “It is unacceptable that some of the evidence has been provided by the applicant on a confidential basis. This makes it impossible for residents or councillors to comment on the accuracy or relevance of that evidence. This application should be refused.”

Dummer Parish Council also commented on the plans saying that the borough council should refuse planning permission on the grounds that the applicant has “failed to comply with the legal agreement with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council” and that the “development will create a “canyon” containing air pollution from traffic on the A30 at the linked Beggarwood light-controlled junction.”

A decision is set to be made on the plans by councillors at a development control committee meeting on Wednesday, 13 June.

For more information or to view the plans visit planning.basingstoke.gov.uk and search the reference number 17/01722/FUL.