Dental surgery extension at Hilton Dental Surgery, West Bridgford

What was proposed

The application sought internal alterations and a first-floor extension providing additional dental services, facilities and three further surgery rooms.

“Internal alterations and first floor extension over existing single storey dental surgery to provide additional dental services and facilities…”

“The current planning application seeks approval for a first floor extension and internal alterations to the building to provide additional dental services and facilities, including three additional surgery rooms. The plans and details of the proposal can be found here.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The dental practice is a single-storey building on a corner in a mainly residential area, with one parking space and nearby homes.

“The application site of 1 Hilton Crescent is occupied by a single storey, flat roof, brick building, located on the corner of Valley Road and Hilton Crescent. The building is currently used as a dental practice with three surgery rooms. The building is approximately 3.4m in height, rendered white on the southern and western elevations, and the entrance to the building is formed of blue glazed window panels, fronting the highway boundary.”

“The footprint of the building covers a majority of the application site, with the building extending to the northern, eastern and southwestern boundary. A paved area is situated to the west of the building providing bin storage. To the south is a paved area providing one car parking space.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions covered alterations, extensions, parking and two flats, while one related application was withdrawn.

“12/01335/FUL – permission was granted in October 2012 for the partial demolition; internal and external alterations; single storey rear extension; two storey side extension; rendering of external walls to existing dental surgery; construct first floor over dental surgery to form 2 flats with independent entrance; dropped kerb and off-street parking; bin stores.”

“12/00586/FUL – an application was withdrawn in June 2012 for the partial demolition; internal and external alterations; single storey rear extension; two storey side extension; rendering of external wall of existing dental surgery; construct first floor over dental surgery to form 2 flats with independent entrance; dropped kerb and off-street parking; 1.8m high fence to east boundary…”

Officer report

Highways and other advice

Environmental Health raised no objection subject to conditions, while Highways found a major parking shortfall likely to harm access and safety.

“Rushcliffe Borough Council Environmental Health Officer advised that they had no objections on environmental health grounds, and recommended…”

“Nottinghamshire County Council Highways detailed conversations with Nottinghamshire County Council Highways have been had over the course of the application. Full copies of their responses can be found here. In summary, they found that the proposal presents a considerable shortfall in off-street parking, and as such, would likely generate a significant increase in on-street parking in the vicinity.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant and the ward councillor addressed the Committee under the public speaking arrangements.

Members’ debate

Members discussed NHS dental need, public transport, nearby parking, emergency access and possible mitigation through a Travel Plan and staff parking.

“Members of the Committee commented on the shortage of NHS dental provision and therefore the importance of this service to the local community. Members of the Committee questioned Highways finding there not to be convenient public transport and thought there to be many buses that regularly passed nearby. In relation to parking, Members of the Committee thought there to be sufficient parking options, including the car park at Alford Road within five minutes’ walk.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Members rejected the officer recommendation and granted planning permission, with conditions and their details delegated to the relevant director.

“Councillor H Parekh moved to reject the recommendation and grant permission, subject to Conditions as delegated to Officers including a condition requiring the provision of a Travel Plan, this was seconded by Councillor S Ellis and the vote was carried.”

“PLANNING PERMISSION BE GRANTED SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, THE DETAILS OF WHICH ARE DELEGATED TO THE DIRECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.”

Minutes