Plans lodged to transform part of Dobbies garden centre into vets

Plans have been lodged to transform part of a Dobbies garden centre into a veterinary practice which will provide new full-time and part-time jobs.

CVS UK Ltd has submitted proposals to Renfrewshire Council to have a surgery on part of the ground floor at Dobbies Braehead.

The firm – which already owns and operates more than 500 surgeries throughout the UK – plans to open the practice every day from 8.30am to 7pm and would provide 24-hour emergency-only access with vets on call.

If plans get the go-ahead, papers state the surgery would have a vast array of facilities including five consulting rooms, two theatres, a central surgical room, a pharmacy, a laboratory, an x-ray room, a dental suite and wards for dogs, cats and exotic animals.

A statement included with the application from planning agents Turley states: “The proposals will enable the reuse of a part of the garden centre to provide a new attractive and modern veterinary practice.

“Once fully operational, the veterinary practice will support a number of full and part-time jobs, as well as requiring various local labour inputs during the fit-out works and construction process.

“The proposals will not significantly affect the overall predominance of commercial and retail uses within this area and will not threaten the economic, social or environmental condition of the area.

“Indeed, the change of use application seeks an alternate use of part of the garden centre premises, which is appropriate and which will complement other nearby uses in the vicinity.

“The submission demonstrates that the development proposals would deliver
economic and social benefits. Indeed, it will facilitate employment within the site and will also provide social benefits, in that additional veterinary facilities will be available in the local area.”

The practice would also include an admin office, toilets for staff and customers, a changing room and a staff canteen and lockers if plans get the green light.

The proposals do not include any allocated car parking, but documents state customers will be able to use existing spaces at the front of Dobbies.

An existing service yard to the north of the garden centre will provide an area for bin storage.

Council planning bosses will make a decision on the application in due course, with a target date of March 26.