Live Well dental practice proposal for Bridlington moves a step closer
A proposal for new dental practice to take root in Bridlington has moved closer to becoming a reality.
The proposal, focusing on the Crown Community Centre on Quay Road, is for the change of use of part of the ground floor and first floor building from offices to a dental practice, along with improvements to the building and associated landscaping.
The decision to defer and delegate for approval subject to amended conditions was made during the Eastern Area Planning Sub-Committee meeting on Monday, May 11.
The application was recommended for deferral so a dusk emergence bat survey can take place.
Subject to any amendments being acceptable, the plan will then be delegated for approval.
Bridlington has been described as a ‘dental desert’ due to the lack of practices in the town, and this proposal could deliver ‘approximately 1,700 appointments per week of which around 840 will be NHS patients’.
Cllr Tim Norman (Bridlington South Ward), who recommended the project should go ahead, said: “This is exactly what Bridlington needs.
“Some of the young people in Bridlington who are now 14/15 have never been able to get a dental appointment, so hopefully this plan will move towards (fixing) that.
“I would love to recommended that the officer defer, delegate, and then approve.”
This followed an address to the committee by Katherine Mathew, principal strategic project manager, who said: “The application really matters because Bridlington has had so few dentists it has become a dental desert.
“It matters because the Hinge Centre which proves vital services for Bridlington residents in the Crown Buildings is having put buckets in corridors because the roof leaks.
“It matters because many other groups use this building.
“They have to cope with this heating system which is very hot or not working.
“With a renovated Crown Building at it’s heart, all it’s assets can create a Live Well campus.
“Bridlington residents deserve better than a leaking, ugly building that costs too much to run.”
Ms Mathew said the application would see the building become a ‘more than a neighbourhood centre’ but a ‘beacon of good practice’, making a real difference to residents.
Cllr Norman said afterwards: “I was pleased to be able to propose that the committee approve an application for the Crown Community Centre adaptations.
“This will enable development of a location for enhanced dentistry, both private and NHS for the residents of Bridlington and District.
“This followed an impassioned plea by Ms Mathew regarding the impact it will have for our community.
“Onwards and upwards – another hurdle crossed on the development of dentistry in Bridlington.”
Design and Access Statement for the Bridlington Live Well Campus by P+HS Architects, on behalf of the proposal, said: “This planning application focuses on Crown Buildings, which is currently leased to the HEY Smile Foundation under a ‘meanwhile use’ agreement.
“This project involves bringing together numerous Voluntary Community and Social Enterprises (VCSE), and two relevant private sector businesses, under one roof (the ‘Crown Community’) to provide health and wellbeing support and services to the residents of Bridlington.
“This success has attracted My Dentist to Crown Buildings.
"They would like to host 17 surgeries in Crown (some to act as training surgeries) with the possibility of some audiology work also being offered.
"This would transform dental care in Bridlington.
“Currently, My Dentist delivers six surgeries a week, with approximately 450 (mostly private) appointments per week. My Dentist need to move to deliver their NHS contract. From Crown Buildings My Dentist will be able to deliver approximately 1,700 appointments per week of which around 840 will be NHS patients.
“Furthermore, it is intended that Crown Buildings will become the heart of a Live Well Campus, which will also include Bridlington Town Hall and the Medical Centre.
“These plans therefore include, with the GP practice’s support, paths between the medical centre and Crown Buildings to encourage residents to move from one to the other and ensure they are able to get holistic support as well as improved lighting across the site and improved landscaping.”
To find out more about the application and read the full design and access statement go to the ERYC planning portal and search for 25/03196/REG3.