Black Country dentist expansion approved after previous privacy concerns
Sandwell Council turned down proposals earlier this year by Complete Dental in Bearwood, Smethwick, to build a three-storey rear extension to add another four surgery rooms at the Bearwood Road practice.
An extension to a dental surgery to cope with increasing demand has been approved after previous plans were rejected over privacy issues.
Sandwell Council turned down proposals earlier this year by Complete Dental in Bearwood, Smethwick, to build a three-storey rear extension to add another four surgery rooms at the Bearwood Road practice.
New plans were submitted asking for permission to extend two rooms and build two new rooms as an alternative to increase capacity which have now been approved by Sandwell Council.
A report by the council’s planners said: “Whilst being in a courtyard area, the extension would be a sufficient distance from neighbouring properties as to raise no significant concerns regarding its impact on light and outlook.
“The massing and scale of the rear extension would be proportionate to the existing property and raises no concerns regarding its impact on the character of the existing property or the visual amenity of the wider area.
“The primary reason for refusal of the first application is thereby addressed.”
Despite the surgery saying it would help address a ‘significant’ shortage of appointments, Sandwell Council’s planners rejected the first application by Dr Nikesh Farmah saying the extension would lead to “intrusive overlooking” and a loss of privacy for neighbours.
The dental practice said it needed to extend the building as it was experiencing “very high levels” of demand, long waiting lists and limited availability for appointments.
A statement included with the application by Complete Dental said: “There is a significant and ongoing shortage of NHS dental provision across Sandwell and neighbouring areas.
“Complete Dental is currently experiencing very high levels of patient demand, resulting in long NHS waiting lists and limited appointment availability.
“Local demand for NHS dental services continues to grow, and the existing size and layout of the premises restrict the practice’s ability to meet this need effectively.
“The proposed expansion is the only realistic means by which the practice can increase capacity, shorten waiting times, and improve NHS patient access.”
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