Plans to build a brand new dental surgery in Beggarwood are "at risk" after the land was sold by the developer.

Land at the Island Site, off Beggarwood Lane, had been set aside for a new dental surgery when the development, which also includes the Holly Blue pub and a care home, was given planning permission.

But The Gazette can reveal that the 0.2 acre site was sold by developer Grainger Plc at auction in April for £365,000.

Now, Basingstoke South West councillor, Stephen Reid, has said he is "concerned" that the area will not get the dental surgery it was promised.

"I am concerned and I am anxious. It should go ahead and I really hope that when we find out who have bought it they would give us reassurance.

"All I know s that it has been sold and there is planning permission for a dental surgery and I want to see that built.

"It is ironic that the only community centre is the one that has fallen by the wayside.

"I was looking to seeing the work starting on the surgery."

Beggarwood's dental surgery is currently based on Broadmere Road, next to the doctor's surgery.

Cllr Reid said that having a new building for the dental surgery would allow the GP surgery to expand in order to meet the demands of Beggarwood's growing population, with 1,750 new homes coming when Hounsome Field and Basingstoke Golf Course are developed.

He also said he was aiming to speak to the new owners of the land to seek reassurance on their intentions, but has been unable to discover their identity and make contact.

"I did try talking to [initial owner Grainger] to see if anything could be done but it appears not.

"All I can observe is that it is boarded off and I don't know what their intentions are.

"It is at risk. The people who bought it may have bout it with exactly that intention. The changeover has introduced a risk that wasn't there."

Cllr Reid also urged the new owner of the land to contact him.

The Island Site was given planning permission in 2018, despite concerns of many residents.

At the meeting three years ago, Stafford Nappier from South West Action Group (SWAG), said the site had been designated as structural open space.

He said: “These obligations have not been fulfilled with all vegetation being stripped off. The site has been compromised further with parking, and construction rubbish piled on it, becoming what you (the borough council) may now see as ripe for development.”

The plans were later approved, subject to conditions on the parking layout, landscape management and the construction method.