PLANS to include a dental surgery on a new housing estate have finally been abandoned after a year-long search for a dentist proved to be like pulling teeth.

Space on the 149-home Barratt Homes development behind Hedge End's Botleigh Grange Hotel had been

earmarked for a surgery as part of planning permission for the estate.

Eastleigh Council had insisted on space being reserved because of a lack of NHS dentists in the area.

But the borough's Hedge End, West End and Botley Local Area Committee has now conceded defeat and four extra homes will be built instead.

Dental practices throughout the Eastleigh and Test Valley areas were asked if they wanted to move or expand to the estate and the primary care trust was asked if it had any leads. Barratt Homes also put an advert in the British Dental Journal.

The whole procedure produced just three inquiries which were never followed up.

Barratt said six months ago that it was unable to find a dentist, but the committee then told the company to have another go at marketing the property.

Now, the company has been back to the committee to report there were still no takers.

A Barratt spokesman told councillors that the dental shortage was not caused by a lack of premises, but by a shortage of dentists.

He said there would have been more profit in building a dental surgery than in building the four social housing units which the company would now build instead.

Councillors heard that Hedge End Town Council had said that, if no dentist could be found, the premises should be reserved for another professional amenity such as a

pharmacy.

Councillor Louise Bloom, who represents the area, said she thought that four homes were the best use.

She commented: "Much as a dentist would be nice, we can't force a dentist to open on this site.

"I'd love a post office in Grange Park but post offices are closing all over the country."