Plans to turn the first floor of Shanklin Conservative Club into a ‘much sought-after’ NHS dental practice have been given the green light.
James Kingham’s plans to convert the ‘underutilised’ space above the private members’ bar on Palmerston Road, Shanklin, into a six-surgery facility have been granted permission.
The dental practice will cater to around 80 patients a day.
From function suite to dental facility
The first floor has previously been run as a function suite ancillary to the venue, known as The Regency Suite, used for private hire events including weddings and parties.
Council backs community benefit case
A council decision report said the change of use would allow an ongoing use of a ‘relatively vacant level’, benefitting the community and economy within Shanklin town centre.
It said,
“The availability of NHS dental surgeries on the Isle of Wight has been in steady decline.
“The proposed change of use would bring six available surgery rooms into the Shanklin town centre boundary area and would make efficient use of an existing spacious first floor, which is currently significantly underutilised.
“The proposed dentist facility would accommodate approximately 80 patients per day representing a substantial enhancement in local healthcare provision.”
Addressing the Island’s dentistry shortage
Mr Kingham’s agent, Nova Architectural, previously told the council the proposal will provide a ‘much sought-after’ facility.
Its support statement said,
“Availability of NHS dentistry on the Isle of Wight has been in a steady decline, with many reports on news sites and community pages that there is a shortage of dentists on the Island, with many reporting that they are unable to gain appointments within their local community.
“The proposal will provide a much sought-after and needed facility which will have many overarching benefits not only to the wider community of Shanklin, but also to the local economy.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
