The landlord of a GP surgery that was under a threat of closure due to a long-running row has said the dispute is over.

St Peter’s Surgery in Woolston reached a ‘crisis point’ this month after the eight-year dispute over rent came to a head.

It was feared more than 6,700 patients would have needed to find an alternative surgery.

At the heart of the dispute was an accessible toilet which is holding up a new lease.

Simon Harwood, director at ASA Group who works alongside the landlord, said on their behalf: “The landlord, GP Practice as tenant and NHS have now agreed a way forward that will resolve the disagreement on rent and allow the new lease to complete.

“It is incredibly frustrating that it’s taken so long to get all parties to agree that the rent needs independent arbitration, but we are pleased that all parties have now agreed a clear way forward.

“The rent for the accessible toilet is one point of departure between the landlord and NHS that is holding up a new lease with the GP surgery.”

More than 200 people attended a public meeting on May 20 regarding the possible closure.

Partner and GP Dr Alison Robins told the meeting that the surgery and the landlord agreed on a new rent, which would then be put to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB).

The ICB only pay what an independent valuation office has said the rent is worth.

Speaking at the time, Shirley Edmunds, a patient of 50 years, said: “It’s ridiculous – I was so upset when I opened the letter and read the news.

“It would be so hard to adjust to a new doctor. I had been with Dr Amyn Kadri for almost 30 years.

"We have seen queues outside other surgeries – it's not like that at St Peter's.

Barbara Drew, a patient at St Peter's since 1996, said: "All our family are with this practice and every time one of us walks out we say ‘what a fantastic surgery’ and never have trouble getting seen quickly.

“The doctors, nurse and right down to the reception staff are so unbelievably helpful.

“I see Dr Robins; she is brilliant and we would be devastated if it closed."