PLANNING officials are scrutinising a detailed scheme to build a shopping precinct and pub at Abbotswood.

Perbury Developments plans for the south-eastern corner of the 800-home urban village currently being built north-west of Woodley include a local centre incorporating a pub-restaurant off Braishfield Road, a GP surgery, dental surgery and a pharmacy. The proposed development will also feature a convenience store, a 60-bed nursing home, three-storey shops with offices, a day nursery with outside play area, a community centre and a multi-use play area.

There will also be recycling facilities on site.

A total of 36 new homes are included in this latest planning application which looks at the detailed designs of the scheme.

The local centre is designed around an urban square and when completed a tree with seating will be its focal point.

A 20mph speed limit is planned for the Abbotswood site and numerous streets around the development will link up with the local centre which will have access onto Braishfield Road.

Pope Priestley Architects are behind the design of the local centre, which they say is aimed at complementing traditional buildings in Romsey but in a more contemporary style.