Malmin Healthcare NE Ltd wants to extend the Roseberry Dental Practice into a residential property next door in Westgate, which would require change of use planning permission from Redcar and Cleveland Council.

The terraced property, built in the late 19th century, while not listed, is located in the conservation area of the town, a consideration for planners.

Guisborough Town Council has not objected to the application currently being considered.

A supporting statement submitted with the application prepared by a consultancy, Total Planning Solutions (UK) said an internal opening would be created to link the two buildings and while internal alterations were planned, no external changes would be made.

It said the current premises were at “full capacity” and there was a “significant unmet need” for NHS dental services in the area.

The statement said: “In Guisborough we are the only practice accepting adult (NHS) patients.

“Regional data from the North East and North Cumbria (Integrated Care Board) show 14 dental practices handed back NHS dental contracts in 2023/24 and up to 97 per cent of practices in the region are not accepting new adult NHS patients.”

The statement said the property next door had been continuously marketed by estate agents, but no offers had been received to extend its residential use.

The applicant Fahim Farooqui had bought the property in question in a bid to address current capacity issues.

A teaching surgery was also planned on the first floor for use by newly qualified dentists from Newcastle University.

The statement said: “The existing premises are currently operating at full capacity. 

“Waiting times for appointments continue to grow and available treatment rooms are insufficient to meet the need for additional NHS patients.

“The proposed acquisition and integration of 122 Westgate into the existing practice provides a practical and sustainable solution to the issue of space limitations. 

“The proposal would allow for additional surgeries and improved patient throughput directly benefitting the local population.”

It added: “The proposed change of use aligns fully with national and local planning objectives. 

“It enables the expansion of an essential NHS facility in a location that is already in health use, reducing the need for further land take or speculative new development. 

“The location is highly sustainable and central, well served by public transport and public car parks. 

“The proposed change of use will allow additional clinical space, ensuring that the practice can meet NHS contractual requirements and treat more patients within an appropriate care environment.”

Internal changes would see the creation of a dental surgery room and practice manager’s office on the ground floor, along with a further surgery room on the first floor, a sterilisation room, toilet and patient waiting area.

Meanwhile, between two and ten additional staff could be added courtesy of the expansion.

Addressing the conservation area element, the statement explained: “The project involves no physical alterations, construction, demolition, or modifications to buildings, structures, or landscapes within or adjacent to the conservation area. 

“It is strictly limited to internal reconfiguration, preserving the historic fabric, character, and visual integrity of the area.”

It said if the council concluded that the change of use – through the functional change to a dentist from residential, rather than physical alteration – had the potential to cause less than substantial harm to a heritage asset, then this must be balanced against the substantial public benefit, in this case the expanded delivery of NHS dental care to the local population.

Members of the public have until August 13 to comment on the plans.

Recently a health scrutiny committee in Redcar heard about a number of measures being taken by the local NHS which aim to make it easier for residents to access both routine and urgent appointments.

But councillors were warned by Dave Gallagher, the integrated care board’s chief protracting and procurement officer, it would be a long haul to “get things back to where they should be, and it probably wasn’t wonderful in the first place”.