'Last throw of the dice' in dental surgery fight

Bridge House surgery, in Durham city centre, supports thousands of NHS patients, according to the parish council

A "last throw of the dice" has been taken by councillors attempting to block an NHS dental practice being converted into student flats.

A bid to turn the property where Durham's Bridge House Dental Surgery operates into five apartments was rejected by Durham County Council last year, but the developer behind the proposal has appealed to the government's planning inspectorate.

Now the City of Durham Parish Council says it has submitted a formal objection as it looks to "save a popular NHS dentistry service which supports thousands of patients".

The applicant, Ridley Properties, said there was "high demand" for student accommodation in the city centre.

It described the potential impact on dental services as "neutral", saying the practice would leave the building this year and had already found alternative premises - believed to be at St Andrew's Park in the city's Gilesgate area.

'New contracts needed'

However, the parish council says that as Bridge House surgery is one of a small number in the DH1 postcode area providing routine treatments to NHS patients, relocation with less than 12 months' notice would have an "unacceptable" effect on healthcare provision.

It argues "new NHS dentistry contracts in alternative premises cannot be approved at the drop of a hat" and that time would also be needed to gain planning permission for a new unit and to fit it out.

Mydentist, which runs the practice, said it was "in the process of securing an alternative location...to ensure our services remain accessible to the local community".

"Our sole focus is to ensure any relocation does not impact patient care," a spokesperson added.

The planning inspectorate has been approached for comment.