A DENTAL surgery wants to expand by moving into the flats above its practice.

Hoborne Dental Practice, in Saffron Drive, Highcliffe, has applied to BCP Council for permission to expand into the flats above its surgery.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application said the flats are owned by the surgery.

It said: “The premises that Hoburne Dental Practice currently occupies were originally built as a doctor’s surgery (104 Saffron Drive) and a shop (100 Saffron Drive) in the late 1980s.

“As 104 was too small for doctor’s premises it started out as a small two surgery dental practice with a local convenience store next door at 100 Saffron Drive.

“There is a first floor flat (102 Saffron Drive) above the shop premises. The practice has gradually increased patient numbers over the following decades as it met the dental care needs of the local community.

“In 2013 the practice expanded into the old shop premises to add a fourth surgery and improve toilet, storage, X-ray, administration and staff facilities.

“The practice cannot increase clinical provision any further without the addition of another surgery.

“There are two elements to this application: firstly, a change of use for no. 102, the existing first floor flat, from residential to become part of the dental surgery, and secondly a small extension to house a new public entrance and reception area.

“The change in practice dictated by the Covid-19 pandemic has meant that the current waiting room is way too small such that patients now have to wait outside the practice at busy times.”

The statement said that the surgery is booked up three to four weeks in advance which is compromising the ability to treat patients in a timely manner.

It said the development would make the practice the closest provider of dental care to 875 dwellings.

“The extension and expansion of the dental practice into the first-floor space will allow the creation of a dental practice well equipped to offer dental care in a safe and efficient way for up to 1000 additional local patients,” it added.

“The response of the dental profession to the Covid-19 pandemic has forced change in practice and the need for larger premises to provide a safe and reassuring environment for patients and staff alike.

“The site is not large enough to provide space for more extensions without expanding into the first-floor space owned by the applicants.

“The potential loss of a tenanted flat is outweighed by the community and clinical benefits associated with the creation of a dental practice able to operate post Covid.”