Smithills: Decision due on creation of 'aesthetic clinic'

The applicant and director of Sculpted By Doctors, Dr Bilal Malik, applied for planning permission for the garage outside his home on Whitsters Hollow last year.

The application is retrospective so the creation of the 'aesthetic clinic' is complete already and the application was submitted in response to a notice by the council.

READ MORE: Bromley Cross: Plan approved in error cannot progress.

It is opposed by two of the Liberal Democrat councillors for the area, Roger Hayes and Susan Priest, as well as some of the residents on Whitsters Hollow and in its surroundings.

Cllr Hayes and Cllr Priest think the clinic, which is set to to be used for a range of treatments, is out of character with what is a residential street. They think it would be a precedent for other businesses to set up shop on a residential street.

Their concerns are shared by some of the residents on Whitsters Hollow and in its surroundings, including Smithills Croft Road, whose concerns include other considerations like the impact on parking and road safety.

READ MORE: Kearsley: Decision due on homes off Manchester Road.

But a report for consideration by the Planning Committee when it meets at the town hall this week suggests the clinic does not impact the character of the residential street and does not impact parking and road safety, in particular as there are only one or two appointments per day between Monday and Friday.

A report reads: "The proposal would not harm the appearance or character of the dwelling or the surrounding area, or the amenity of residents. There would also be no detrimental impact on parking or highway safety.

"It is therefore considered the proposal complies with policy and members are recommended to approve this application subject to conditions."

The Planning Committee meets at the town hall on October 5.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.