PLANS to bring an orthodontics practice to Dumbarton High Street are expected to move a step closer to fruition tomorrow.

Members of West Dunbartonshire Council’s planning committee will meet in Garshake Road to discuss proposals over a change of use to a premises in 93 High Street.

If approved, the move would see a new orthodontics practice move into the premises, which was once a charity shop – and could serve as many as 500 local patients a year.

A report to go before planning committee members said: “Planning permission is sought to change the use of the unit from a shop to an orthodontic clinic.

“This would be a new practice, and is intended to serve patients from West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute who currently have to travel into Glasgow for orthodontic services.

“It is anticipated that there will be five staff (an orthodontist, a therapist, two nurses and a receptionist).

“Patients would be referred by their dentists for specialist treatment, and it is anticipated that there would be around 500 patients a year, each of whom would have around 20 appointments.

“The unit would be refitted internally to provide a consulting room, a waiting room, X-ray room, a small laboratory, staff/administrative facilities and lavatories.

“Externally the existing shopfront would be refurbished.”

New signage would be added, although this is not part of the current application.

The report goes into more detail about the premises, saying: “The application relates to a small retail unit on the south side of Dumbarton High Street opposite the Artizan Centre, adjacent to Quay Pend.

“The property comprises part of the ground floor of a two storey art deco style building which is also occupied by two other retail units with office premises above.

“The unit is currently occupied by a charity shop.

“Within the surrounding town centre there is a mix of business uses including shops, banks, offices, bookmakers, public houses and hot food takeaways, with some flats on upper floors.

“To the rear of the site there is a service yard and a public car park.”

An assessment in relation to changing the use of the premises was carried out but the report stated: “Applications for any change of use from a shop to a non-retail use will only be permitted where it can be satisfactorily demonstrated that such a change would reinforce and revitalise the centre and would not adversely affect the character and amenity of the area.

“The proposal is therefore in principle a departure from the development plan, however, it is considered that the proposed use would contribute positively to the vitality and viability of the town centre and would not have a detrimental impact on the character and amenity of the area.”

It’s also understood that the applicant, Mr Simon Fuller, of Glasgow Southside Orthodontics, is keen to have a ground floor premises in the area, so it can be accessed by those who have mobility problems.

The report said: “The applicant has indicated that a ground floor premise is needed so that the facility is accessible to disabled patients.”