A DOCTOR is hoping his completely revised plans to provide Old Basing with a modern surgery will receive the backing of objectors and planning chiefs.

Dr Tony Weaver last week lodged a new application to build the surgery and a pharmacy in Milkingpen Lane with Basingstoke council's planning department.

The surgery is intended to be a replacement for his current premises in Linden Avenue, set to close due to inadequate facilities in 2005 when its lease expires.

Dr Weaver's original plans created a storm of protest in the village, with objectors citing overdevelopment in a conservation area and traffic problems, and an action group was formed in response to the applications.

However, many residents backed the plan, because they didn't want to lose the surgery.

The doctor withdrew his application on the advice of planners and went back to the drawing board in a bid to come up with a compromise.

He told The Gazette: "This is a completely new design. The surgery size has been reduced, more trees have been retained and there's a lot more landscaping. It fits in much better with the surrounding area.

"We have spent a long time discussing the application with the planning officer, and now feel we have the backing of the conservation officer and the tree officer. The planning officer also seems happy with the details.

"We are hoping that people who objected to the first application can come around to our way of thinking and realise this is a good thing for the village."

The old application included a proposal to build eight flats, which Dr Weaver said was necessary to fund the project. There are six flats in the new application, which are reduced in size by 30 per cent.

Old Basing Parish Council will be consulted over the plans, and Dr Weaver said a meeting would be held with the objectors.

He added there would be no more applications, saying: "A lot of work has been done getting to this stage. I've worked on this for three years, looking at 23 sites, and it's been to the detriment of my family.

"I won't be spending any more time on it if it's unsuccessful."