A PLANNING application has been submitted to transform a doctor’s surgery into a dentist.

Banks' Surgery on Wimborne Road is run by the Banks and Bearwood Medical Centre.

It was announced that the centre will close by the end of the year, leaving patients upset.

Read more: Banks surgery 'will not be available for use' for patients 

Now, a planning application has been submitted to turn the building into a dental practice. 

The proposed plans would see the ground and first floors changed from a doctor's surgery with four treatment rooms, to a dental surgery with four treatment rooms.

This includes adding a new fire escape stairwell and door, installing air-conditioning units, and placing suction machinery in a small wooden shed.

The application states: “The proposed change of use of the building to a treatment room dental surgery will add to the range of health services in this highly sustainable and accessible location where public transport is available, as is cycling and walking to the site a reasonable alternative to the private motor car.

“The use of the doctors’ surgery is ceasing on the site. The doctor’s lease has expired and they have long planned to vacate these premises in order to consolidate their operation into another site which they are in the process of expanding to increase capacity.

“The doctors plan to vacate these premises by the end of 2024 and so this change of use application is necessary to allow the site to continue to be used in a meaningful way that still serves the healthcare needs of the local community.

“The proposed use is as a similar community use with similar hours and thus will operate peacefully alongside of uses that includes residential.”

The proposed dental practice shall operate from Monday between 8.30am to 7pm, Tuesday to Friday between 8.30am to 5.30pm, Saturday, Sundays and closed on bank holidays.

The application concluded: “It is considered that there are no material considerations which would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, and therefore I would request that planning permission is approved.”

The current surgery is located on 272 Wimborne Road, Bournemouth.