Portchester surgery expansion will lead to more patients
More patients will be able to sign up to a dentist after councillors agreed to the expansion of a surgery.
The practice in West Street, Portchester, currently has three dentists.
But Fareham Borough Council has given planning permission for this to be extended to five, meaning extra space for hundreds more patients.
The car park will also be increased for staff and bays for bicycles will be provided as well.
A similar application was withdrawn earlier this year after officers raised concerns over parking at the practice.
There were worries that patients could cause problems for residents living nearby.
As a result, the car park will now only be used by staff at the surgery.
Councillors say, however, there are public car parks nearby and good public transport links.
Cllr Roger Price, ward councillor for Portchester East who sits on the planning committee, said: 'I totally supported it.
'My only concern was a lack of parking for patients but there is good parking in the surrounding area.
'Most of the people walk there and will continue to do so.
'I welcome the surgery increasing from three to five.
'It's beneficial to have a good dentists' surgery on the doorstep.
'They are improving the facilities for the patients and that's got to be good news for the people of Portchester.'
Estella Exelby, who owns J.R & E.M Exelby practice with her partner, said she is thrilled at the planners' decision.
'We are absolutely delighted,' she said.
'I feel this will be able to push us forward.
'We are very pleased.
'We wanted to be able to create more space.
'We wanted to improve our facilities here for the patients and the staff.
'We have got quite a lot of patients and this will create much better facilities for them.'
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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