New community dental clinic ready to take root as planners give backing

A NEW dental clinic is set to be created in Colinton.

Council planning officials have recommended the plans to create a dental and wellbeing clinic on Colinton Road be given the go-ahead. The project would see an existing shop unit refitted to act as a dental surgery.

While the change of use is a departure from council policy, officials felt that as it would be of benefit to the local community it should be allowed.

There will be no external work carried out to the building, and Alan Henderson, the council's head of planning and strategy, said: "The proposal will benefit the local community by virtue of adding an important service for neighbouring residents.

"The vitality of the frontage will be maintained and the principle of change of use is acceptable."

A decision on the application for the proposed dental clinic will be made by members of the council's planning committee on Wednesday.