Poundbury dental practice to expand, despite parking concerns
There have been issues with Winslade House patients parking on pavements
A Poundbury dental practice is to expand – although there are fears that its increased use will add to pavement parking in the area.
The Winslade House practice, at the junction of Bridport Road and Winslade Street, will add a fifth surgery by converting an existing adjacent one-bed flat into the business space.
The Bupa-backed business say the extra spaces is needed to cope with growing demand for its services.
The surgery currently employing eleven people.
The extra space will also allow a disabled toilet and some additional space for staff.
Dorchester Town Council’s planning committee raised no objection to the change of use although ward councillor, Richard Biggs, wrote to Dorset Council to say he objected as it would only add to already existing parking problems in the area – where traffic regulations are currently not possible because the roads remain unadopted by Dorset Council.
Similar objections came from an immediate neighbour who said that with the practice courtyard car park “wholly inadequate” many drivers choose the nearest possible space, many of them often parking across pavements, blocking the way for parents and children making their way to and from Damers School.
Winslade Street is also the only access for the Colton Care nursing home, resulting in delivery vehicles having to make complicated turns, often completely blocking the road as they unload.
Despite the concerns Dorset Highways told planning officers, deciding the application: “the minimal extra parking will not have any detrimental impact to the highway.”