Plans to turn an old dance studio into a number of flats have been approved despite concerns from a nearby GP surgery.
Applicant Chris Pycroft’s proposals to convert the building at 428 Carlton Hill, Carlton, into 11 one-bed flats were criticised by a doctor, who argued the building should be retained for community use.
Part of the vacant building was used by the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama before the charity relocated, while the upper floor was used as office space.
At a Gedling Borough Council planning committee meeting on Wednesday (January 14) the plans were approved in spite of several concerns.
Dr James Kitchin, who works as a Trentside Medical Group GP at an adjacent site, said the surgery had been looking to obtain the building due to the need to expand its services in the area.
“Whilst [the building] was not openly marketed, Trentside Medical Group did find out the sale was proceeding at a later date and did submit a bid to acquire the property, due to a need to expand our existing medical operation within Carlton,” he said, speaking at the meeting.
“Unfortunately we were too late to succeed with this. Had proper open marketing taken place it is highly likely we would have pursued and succeeded in acquiring the building.
“Our other concerns include that they will provide poor quality one bedroom accommodation, with the whole submission appearing to have been rushed.
“As the applicant’s existing buildings provide supported accommodation for vulnerable people, including those with drug and alcohol dependency issues, it is clearly likely vulnerable people will be housed in this low quality housing scheme.
“This makes the practice worry for the safety and security of our staff who handle and dispense prescription drugs as part of their work.”
Councillors expressed a mix of views over the plans.
Cllr Ruth Strong (Lab) questioned the small size of the flats, but was informed by an officer they met the minimum space requirements.
She added: “I would be glad to see an empty building put to such good use.”
Three neighbours objected to the plans, raising issues with the lack of information provided over who would be inhabiting the flats, fears that gardens could be overlooked.
One objection suggested work had already commenced on the site.
Cllr Jane Allen (Con) added: “I’m very concerned about the amount of concerns from neighbours. There is an awful lot.
“Have a lot of these concerns been raised by planning with the developer, but what I’m most concerned about is one person saying the works are nearly complete?”
However, a planning officer replied, saying this was not the case. They said: “They have taken out some windows but there is nothing to suggest they have changed the use or the use has commenced.
“They are basically doing what you might describe as maintenance. It is not a retrospective application.”
