Dentist wins second planning battle

DENTIST Jill Cooper has won a second planning battle to enable her to expand her surgery against the wishes of her neighbours.
A government-appointed inspector has ruled that she can have a second dentist at her practice in Rushgreen Road, Lymm – without the need for obscure glazing in a rear, first floor staff room and office.
Last May, borough council planners approved Mrs Cooper’s application for planning consent to increase the size of her surgery to make room for a second dentist.
But they imposed a condition that obscure glazing be installed in the rear window. More than 20 neighbours had opposed the proposals on the grounds of increased noise, parking problems and lack of privacy.
They claimed 1,000 NHS patients were already using the surgery, plus a number of private patients and argued that if the numbers doubled the problems would worsen.
Mrs Cooper subsequently appealed against the condition that she must have obscure glazing and the inspector who dealt with her appeal has ruled that it is unnecessary.
He said if the room involved had been open to the public there might have been a risk of harmful overlooking of neighbouring gardens.
But as the room was to be used only by staff, and the two windows had high cills, there would be only limited views over the gardens.