THE teeth of Basingstoke residents might soon be being looked at in a new location as a plan for a new orthodontists was given the go-ahead.

At a Development Control Committee meeting on Wednesday last week, councillors at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council gave the green light to the plans, which would see the change of use of a building in Festival Place to an orthodontists.

The planning application, put forward by Portman Healthcare Limited, would mean the currently vacant unit at 18-19 Chelsea House would be transformed so the practice would be situated on the ground floor, with the basement levels providing staff facilities, a reception overflow and storage area.

There was one objection to the plan, which was lodged the day of the meeting, but councillors approved the proposal at the committee meeting.

The objector detailed the fact that there are several other options available to people in Basingstoke who may need an appointment with an orthodontist.

Part of the objection read: “Private orthodontic care is available at most of the general dental practices in Basingstoke either by in-house providers or visiting specialist orthodontists.

“Establishing a squat dental practice is outside of Portman dental group’s core business model - normal practice for this company is to purchase established practices.

“This raises a concern as to whether they have the infrastructure and experience required to set up and run a newly established squat practice, in an area of dentistry they have little experience.”

The unit has been vacant since Barclays left in June 2015.

Part of the report read: “The unit was vacated by its last permanent occupant (Barclays) in June 2015 and has been vacant since.

“Additional information has been submitted by the applicant that has demonstrated the marketing efforts carried out by the lettings agents over the past three years.

“The unit has been marketed on several different letting platforms, however, no prospective clients have had interest in the unit.”

The new development would be deemed to be in line with the surrounding shops, according to the report: “As the site is within Festival Place it would not affect the setting or character of the Conservation Area.”