Sun sets on 1830s pub

5:30am Thursday 19th July 2007

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A BOARDED-UP Southampton pub dating back to the 1830s is to be flattened to make way for a new medical centre.

The £4.25m redevelopment of the Sun Inn, in Weston Lane, will see the nearby White House Surgery move in to the new centre, together with a new pharmacy and dental practice, serving 8,000 patients.

See a copy of today's Daily Echo for an artist's impression of the new £4m medical centre.

Tell us what you think. As the sun sets on the 1830s pub, is the new design an attractive replacement?

Southampton City Council's planning and right of way panel passed the plans jointly submitted by Assura Property and Southampton Primary Care Trust.

Letters of objection were handed in by 15 neighbours and Woolston councillor and panel member Carol Cunio, who said she had been "horrified" by the angular grey building she said looked like a factory.

The objectors were concerned that 24 parking spaces would not be enough, while the proposed three-storey centre was out of keeping with the neighbourhood, which included bungalows.

They also claimed the pub was of historical interest and should not be lost, even though it was not listed.

Councillors said they felt there was an overriding need for the medical centre, which will also serve residents of the proposed 1,600-home £500m Woolston riverside development.

Simon Gould, development manager for Assura Property, said: "We are pleased to be able to replace the former pub with a state-of-the-art primary care centre that will be of significant benefit to the community."

David Paynton, Southampton City PCT managing director for commercial services, said: "This development is another step in the collaborative working between GP practices and PCT-led services.

"We are pleased to reach this milestone in the project to deliver improved services to the Weston community."