Neighbours oppose physio’s expansion plan

A PHYSIOTHERAPIST’S plan to extend opening hours and take on an assistant at his Warrington practice  has aroused the wrath of neighbours.
More than 30 nearby residents have objected to physiotherapist Ian Davies’ application to amend conditions at his practice in Manchester Road on the grounds it is already causing serious parking problems.
Borough councillor Tony Higgins has also lodged an objection.
Mr Davies was granted planning consent to change the use of a private house into a physiotherapy practice in 2007 subject to conditions that only one physiotherapist worked on the premises at any time and opening hours should not be longer than 9am to 6pm.
This was to prevent an unacceptable level of on-street parking in Manchester Road.
Mr Davies has now applied for amended conditions allowing up to two therapists to work at the same time and to change opening hours to 8am to 9pm on weekdays.
Objectors from Manchester Road and Arnold Street claim existing parking problems will worsen if the practice employs more staff and operates for longer hours.
Cllr Higgins says he has received numerous complaints from residents and claims the practice has flouted existing conditions and “got away with it”  because of a lack of resources to enforce conditions.
Mr Wright says all therapists working at the practice park on the other side of the road and notices are displayed in the waiting room asking clients to park on the other side of the road. In addition, text messages are sent daily to clients requesting them to park on the other side of the road.
Two neighbours wrote letters supporting the practice, saying there was no parking problem – one saying that living next door to the clinic was a lot quieter than living next to an ordinary house.
Planning officers are recommending the amended conditions be approved and the matter will be considered by the borough council’s development management committee next week.