The owner of a dental practice reviving a long-vacant village building said this week a planning refusal would not stand in the way of the business’ success.
Jubilee Court Dental Practice is set to open in the former Ashwellthorpe Stores, in The Street, which has been vacant since 1997.
The site marks a second location for owner Dr Raymond Chaw, who took over the practice in King’s Lynn in 2019 with plans to grow the business across Norfolk.
Dr Raymond Chaw outside his new dental practice Jubilee Court Dental in Ashwellthorpe. Picture: Mark Bullimore
He said he was excited to open the second practice, but was disappointed after South Norfolk Council refused his planning application to lower the kerb outside the building, to improve patient parking and accessibility.
“We just wanted to provide more parking,” he said. “Especially for disabled and elderly patients as I want to make it more accessible for all.
“There is parking round the corner and in front of the building, but it’s not guaranteed. If they arrive for their appointment and there are no spaces, they might have to walk to the practice which may be difficult for certain people.
Plans to drop the kerb outside the practice were refused by South Norfolk Council. Picture: Mark Bullimore
“I am disappointed to have the plans refused – it’s frustrating – I’m just trying to make it easier for my patients.”
The plans were refused on the grounds the layby outside the building is part of the public highway and, therefore, must remain available for general use.
Planners said the layby offered valuable off-road parking for a range of users, including delivery drivers and home carers, and dropping the kerb would effectively remove it from public use.
They also raised concerns that if parking was created on the frontage, patients might still park in the layby, potentially blocking other vehicles in and causing confusion — with a possible impact on highway and pedestrian safety.
The practice is aiming to open in September or October. Picture: Mark Bullimore
The highway authority, parish council and residents had also questioned the need for the proposals.
However, Dr Chaw, who has worked in dental care since 2004, said despite the setback, he was proud to be breathing new life into a building that had stood empty for nearly three decades.
He said: “We are hoping to open the business in September or October, depending on how all the building works go, and we are really excited about it.
“We are a family-orientated business and having the second practice will make it easier for me to spend more time with my wife and two children.
“A lot goes into launching a new premises, there’s lot of regulations – especially in healthcare – but I know it will be worth it in the end.
“We really want to provide the people of Ashwellthorpe and those in the surrounding areas, a high-quality dentists they can rely on.”
The new dental practice will offer a range of dental care. For more information, go to www.jubileecourtdental.co.uk