Staff welfare facilities at Dental Surgery 44 Northway, Maghull

What was proposed

The application proposed converting the existing garage at a dental surgery into staff welfare facilities.

“Date of Meeting: 11 th March 2026 Subject: DC/2025/01840 Dental Surgery 44 Northway Maghull L31 5LJ Proposal: Conversion of existing garage for use as staff welfare facilities…”

“The application seeks permission to convert the existing garage into staff welfare facilities. The site lies within a Primarily Residential Area.”

Officer report

The site

The dental practice is a semi-detached two-storey property among similar homes and some commercial properties along Northway.

“The site address is the Northway Dental Practice at 44 Northway in Maghull which is a semi- detached two storey property. There are a number of semi-detached properties located along Northway as well as some commercial properties which are of a similar scale and style.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

The site has permissions for a dental surgery, signage, and later extensions including two additional surgeries, a staff room and storage.

“An application was approved in August 1979 to change the dwelling into a dentist’s surgery (ref: S/12078). Planning permission was refused (ref: S/2007/0522) in August 2007 for a two storey and first floor extension to the rear and the provision of an access ramp and car parking on the basis that it represented an over intensive use of the site which was detrimental to the amenity of the adjacent residents.”

“More recently, an application was approved (ref. DC/2024/01359) at planning committee in October 2024 for the erection of a part two storey/part single storey extension to the rear and a single storey extension to the front to accommodate two additional surgeries, a dedicated staff room and additional storage space. A condition was attached to this permission to limit opening hours from 09:00 – 17:30.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers considered the proposal acceptable because the staff room was modest and would not harm neighbouring amenity or highway safety, subject to conditions.

“The proposed development is considered acceptable in principle. The extension of early morning opening hours for the staff welfare facility reflects an established operational pattern that has not resulted in demonstrable harm to neighbouring living conditions, and a condition can be attached to prevent the use operating outside the hours of 07:00 – 17:00.”

“Taking all relevant matters into account, the proposal is considered to comply with the Sefton Local Plan, including policies EQ1, EQ2, EQ3 and HC3, and is therefore recommended for approval.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor Danny Burns, as ward councillor, made representations on behalf of objectors against the development.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the recommendation and granted the application subject to the conditions and reasons in the report.

“That the recommendation be approved and the application be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.”

Minutes