Dental Practice Expansion Bid Rejected Despite High Demand in Sandwell
A proposal to extend a dental surgery in Smethwick to address what was described as a significant shortage of appointments has been turned down by local authorities. Complete Dental, located on Bearwood Road in Bearwood, sought to build a three-storey rear extension along with a loft conversion to add four new surgery rooms.
The practice argued that the expansion was necessary due to very high levels of patient demand, resulting in long waiting lists and limited availability for NHS appointments. In their application, they emphasized that there is a significant and ongoing shortage of NHS dental provision across Sandwell and neighboring areas.
Council's Reasons for Refusal
However, Sandwell Council's planners rejected the application submitted by Dr Nikesh Farmah. They stated that the proposed three-storey extension would be obtrusive, overly dominant, and disproportionate to the existing building. The council's report highlighted that the design was out of keeping with the local street scene and would harm the visual amenity of neighboring properties.
The council added that the unsympathetic extension would block views and cause privacy issues for residents in nearby flats at Anderson Court on Poplar Road. Specifically, windows on the first and second floors of the extension would directly overlook habitable windows, leading to intrusive overlooking and a material loss of privacy.
Impact on Local Character and Safety
Furthermore, the report warned that approving the application could set a precedent for similar developments that would detract from the character and appearance of the surrounding area. It also raised concerns about highways safety and network issues due to a lack of off-street parking provision.
The council's decision underscores the tension between addressing public health needs and preserving local architectural integrity.
Practice's Justification for Expansion
In their statement, Complete Dental explained that the expansion aimed to increase clinical space, improve facilities, and enhance operational capacity. They argued that this would allow them to accommodate additional dental surgeries, staff, and modern equipment, thereby boosting patient capacity and service delivery.
The practice noted that local demand for NHS dental services continues to grow, and the current premises restrict their ability to meet this need effectively. They claimed that the proposed expansion was the only realistic means to increase capacity, shorten waiting times, and improve NHS patient access.
Despite these arguments, the council maintained that the visual and privacy impacts outweighed the benefits, leading to the rejection of the plans.
