Dentist’s new bid to extend surgery after last move blocked

A dentist has made a renewed bid to extend his surgery to cope with increasing demand after seeing previous plans 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. 

Despite the surgery saying it would help address a ‘significant’ shortage of appointments in Sandwell, the plans were rejected with the council saying the extension would lead to “intrusive overlooking” and a loss of privacy for neighbours.

The new plans would still see the surgery grow in size – with two new rooms and a further two extended rooms to increase capacity instead of four new rooms. 

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.”

Sandwell Council’s planners rejected the first application by Dr Nikesh Farmah saying a three-storey extension would be “obtrusive, overly dominant and disproportionate” and the plans were “out of keeping.”

The council added the “unsympathetic” extension would also cause problems by blocking the views of 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 report outlining the rejection by Sandwell Council said: “The proposed development by reason of its footprint, scale, height, massing, orientation and roof design appear to create an obtrusive, overly dominant and disproportionate additions that unbalance the host property. 

“Additionally, the application if approved would create a precedent for applications of a similar nature that would seriously detract from the character and appearance of the surrounding area and result in highways safety and network concerns given the lack of off-street parking provision.”