The application seeks permission to change the use of a ground-floor unit within Graphic House, in Tontine Street, from a taxi booking office to a dental practice with two treatment rooms.
The proposal for the building off Barbara Castle Way would create a reception and waiting area, two surgeries and a decontamination room, with all works carried out internally.
Planning documents describe the scheme as the creation of a ‘modest local dental practice’ and stress that there would be ‘no external alterations, extensions or changes to the existing means of access’.
The dental surgery would take over the offices of a town centre private hire taxi firm (Image: Blackburn with Darwen Council)
The unit occupies a street-front position within Graphic House, a multi-let commercial building that is already home to several businesses, including the office of taxi firm iRoam Private Hire.
In a supporting statement, the applicant says the plans would bring a new healthcare service into one of the borough’s most accessible locations while ensuring the continued use of an existing commercial premises.
The document states: “The proposal represents the efficient reuse of an existing commercial unit through entirely internal alterations”, adding that it would preserve the character of both Graphic House and the wider street scene.
The building sits within walking distance of Blackburn railway station, the bus station and town centre facilities, with the applicant arguing it is a ‘highly accessible location consistent with national and local planning objectives’.
A previous planning permission already allows the unit to operate as a taxi booking office following a council approval last year. The latest application would replace that use with a Class E dental surgery.
The applicant argues the proposed practice would actually generate fewer visits than the lawful use already permitted.
Planning agents Design Solutions AP Ltd wrote: “The current proposal seeks an alternative commercial use that is considered to be no more intensive than the existing lawful use and, in many respects, likely to generate fewer operational impacts.”
The plans show that the dental surgery would be accessed through the front of the building (Image: Blackburn with Darwen Council)
The statement also highlights the area’s dental history, revealing that neighbouring premises previously operated as a dental surgery before changing to another commercial use within the last five years.
It says that history demonstrates that ‘healthcare uses have previously operated successfully from this immediate locality’ and that ‘the principle of dental healthcare provision within this part of Blackburn Town Centre has previously been established’.
The application argues the scheme would strengthen Blackburn town centre by broadening the mix of services available to residents, workers and visitors.
According to the design statement: “The proposed dental surgery represents an appropriate town centre use that will continue the active occupation of the premises whilst broadening the range of services available within the town centre.”
The applicant also claims patients attending appointments could boost footfall for nearby shops, cafes and other businesses by making linked trips during visits to the practice.
A significant part of the submission focuses on the benefits of additional dental services.
The statement says the development would provide additional clinical facilities, improve accessibility to dental healthcare and ‘support healthier communities’, adding that access to dental treatment is an important component of community healthcare.
Planning documents describe the social benefits of improved access to dentistry as carrying ‘significant positive weight in favour of the proposal’.
On parking and traffic concerns, the applicant says the surgery would operate on an appointment-only basis and contain just two treatment rooms, meaning patient arrivals would be staggered throughout the day.
The statement says the development is ‘not expected to generate levels of activity materially different from those associated with the existing lawful commercial use’ and points to nearby public car parks, on-street parking and a larger private car park within the ownership of the applicant.