Eight Ash Green Dental Surgery seeks planning permission

Eight Ash Green Dental Surgery, in Halstead Road, is located within the former Brick and Tile public house in the village of Eight Ash Green to the west of Colchester.

In March 2021, planning permission was granted for a proposed single storey rear extension to the existing building, as well as for an extension to the existing car park.

These previously approved plans involved the demolition of an existing outbuilding, described as “unattractive” and “dilapidated” by the applicant, which exists within the footprint of the proposed addition.

An updated application now seeks permission for the extension previously granted, for the extension to the car park that had been previously granted and a first floor rear extension to accommodate the provision of a new staircase.

A planning statement connected to the application read: “The proposed single storey addition will replace a derelict outbuilding that is not befitting the appearance of the area.

“The proposal allows for an appealing building to be built in its place which will have a positive impact on the visual appearance particularly when viewed from Spring Lane resulting in a townscape enhancement of the site and area in general.”

The applicant noted although the building currently has a staircase to serve the first floor and consulting rooms, it has been the subject of complaints of CQC and other regulatory bodies regarding its head height.

They added: “Given that it is not possible to improve the headroom over the existing stairs, it has been decided to remove the majority of the existing staircase and to provide a new one.

“This will necessitate a small first floor rear extension in order that it can be accommodated.

“This extension will have rendered walls and a pitched slate roof to match the materials of the existing building.”

Planning permission was granted in 2011 for a change of use of the building from a public house to a dental surgery.