A scheme to convert Cardigan’s former health centre to retail use and a dentist’s surgery was recently approved by Ceredigion planners.

The application by Hanslink Ltd, made through agent Paul Butt Planning Ltd, sought permission for ground and first floor extensions to the existing vacant building and a change of use from the former Cardigan health centre, Feidrfair, to a retail use on the ground floor and a dentist's surgery on the first floor.

The application was supported by Cardigan Town Council but one objection was received, raising concerns including vacant retail properties within Cardigan High Street and Pendre, the impact upon the privacy of nearby housing, an increase in traffic, and the level of parking proposed.

A supporting statement by agent Paul Butt Planning Ltd said: “The planning application essentially seeks to re-use the existing building as a small retail store on the ground floor and to construct a new first floor to provide for the relocation and expansion of a nearby dentist’s surgery.

“The intention is that the NHS Charsfield Dental Practice in Priory Street will move into the proposed new first floor dental surgery, and the Priory Street premises will either remain in its existing use, or revert to a single dwelling, the latter subject to any necessary consent.”

The Priory Street surgery had 2,434 patients registered at the practice as of February 2023.

The proposed changes to the building include a part demolition of the existing building (flat roofed extension), and a small extension (to provide stairs and lift to first floor) to the ground floor of the building and first floor extension to provide a new dentist surgery.

The application was conditionally approved.