RESIDENTS in a Basingstoke neighbourhood have vowed to fight plans to build a medical centre on land outside their homes.

Dr S W Hudson & Partners and South Ham Dental Surgery, which are currently practising in Paddock Road, are seeking to build on 66 hectares of land at the junction of Stag Hill and Pinkerton Road.

But some nearby residents voiced concerns about the scheme at a packed, and heated, public meeting held at Richard Aldworth Community School.

More than 100 residents heard of the poor condition of the existing building and the benefits that could come from a modern facility.

The meeting was arranged by the two surgeries and independently chaired by Terry Faulkner, from the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Community Health Council.

Residents heard why a new medical centre, which will include a pharmacy, was needed.

But Mick Waller, 66, from Stag Hill Road, said: "Nobody wants to have the surgeries there - the feeling was very strong. My main concern is increased traffic and the loss of a green area where young children can play."

Mr Waller said that, if necessary, residents will be looking into possibility of taking legal action to stop the development.

Rose MacFarlane, 65, from Stag Hill, added: "I think they got the message loud and clear - we don't want the surgery out on the green. We won't have a blade of green grass before long here."

However, Mustapha Laljee, from South Ham Dental Surgery, said: "I quite understand the residents' opinions. I am not for or against the Stag Hill site, but we have to have a new site. The current building is old and dilapidated - it really needs to be brought down and started from scratch."

Mr Laljee said no decision has been made about the new location for the two surgeries and that they will be guided by a report from the Community Health Council, which will be published in January.