Student flats plan at dental surgery quashed

The inspector ruled converting Bridge House Surgery would be "harmful"

A bid to convert a city centre dental practice into student flats has been quashed by the government's planning inspector.

Developers hoping to turn the Bridge House Dental Surgery in Durham into five apartments had appealed to the government for approval after having multiple proposals rejected by local planning officials.

Ridley Properties said it applied for the new flats in response to the "high demand" for student apartments in the city centre.

The inspector ruled changing the building on the corner of Framwellgate Bridge would have a "harmful impact" on the provision of health facilities.

In a statement, the inspector said Ridley Properties had not provided "sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the loss of the dental service would not result in a gap in that service, which would ensure all reasonable requirements are met".

Labour's City of Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy and parish councillors feared the change would impact dental services and exacerbate the challenges for patients accessing much-needed treatment.

Ridley Properties disputed those claims in its appeal, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It said the existing dental practice had found alternative premises, meaning the impact on local provision would be "neutral".

The dental provider Mydentist will remain in the building until a new site in Belmont opens in November, and there will be no disruption in services and appointments.

A spokesperson for City of Durham Parish Council said it believed the proposal would have a "deeply damaging impact on access to primary healthcare" and "put enormous pressure on already stretched waiting lists".

"This is a real victory for the people of Durham, our residents should not have to fight for access to key services like this one," they said.