A FORMER pub looks set to be replaced with a doctor’s surgery, chemist and housing.

Barley Projects has applied to demolish the Langenhoe Lion, in Mersea Road, between Abberton and Langenhoe.

The surgery would have three GPs and would be for people in south Colchester.

An extension to the surgery will house a chemist’s shop, and the applicants have suggested this could also sell general groceries.

There will be an 18-space car park and two, four-bedroom detached homes with garages, on the former pub car park.

Warren Goff, 40, who runs the Crafty Goat ice cream parlour and cafe and sub post office, in Mersea Road, Langenhoe, welcomed the proposals because he uses a GP surgery in Layer de la Haye.

He said: “I have got three children and it would be great to have access to a surgery closer to us.

“One of the reasons why this has probably happened is because of the increase in properties supposed to be being built in the village and some infrastructure needs to be put in.

“At least it is not just being bulldozed and turned into just houses.”

A statement accompanying the planning application said there are no doctors surgeries in Abberton, Langenhoe or Peldon and villagers have to travel to Layer de la Haye, Colchester or Mersea.

It continued: “There are also no shops in these villages, except for a farm shop in Langenhoe.

These proposed facilities will provide a diversity of services to the immediate residential population, as well as to neighbouring villages.”

The pub, built in about 1820, closed in December 2011 and was put on the market for £250,000 in July 2012.

Stephen Wormell, chairman of Abberton and Langenhoe Parish Council, declined to comment until the planning application has been discussed on Monday.

The Gazette contacted Barkley Projects, based in Ardleigh, but no one was available for comment.

Colchester Council has the final say on the application and aims to make a decision by March 20.