A BRIDGWATER veterinary hospital has been given the green light to relocate and expand by converting a vacant building into a new practice. 

Quantock Veterinary Hospital gained approval from Somerset Council to change the use of the building at Barhams Close yesterday (Thursday, August 17).

This will allow the business to move its Bridgwater practice from Quantock Terrace to the bigger site, located just 0.2 miles away. 

Unit 10 and 11 at Barhams Close were previously used to store and sell wooden furniture and as a print works for the UK Hydrographic Office.

The last approved use was for a builder’s merchant and distribution centre.

The planning application, submitted by Picea Design on behalf of Vet Partners Ltd, said: “Quantock Vets is a 24-hour veterinary hospital which provides out of hours support for 14 local practices.

“It is proposed that the relocation and expansion will allow Quantock Vets to support an additional five practices who are waiting to join the out of hours provisions scheme.”

It also said the move would allow Quantock Vets, which currently employs 25 people, to hire around six more members of staff.

Bridgwater Mercury: Quantock Vets has been granted permission to change the use of the Barhams Close site.Quantock Vets has been granted permission to change the use of the Barhams Close site. (Image: Google Street View) 

“The ground floor will provide a reception, toilets, waiting area, retail area and pharmacy within the front section of the layout,” the plans said. 

“This will provide access to dog, cat and exotics consulting rooms and a bereavement room.

“The remaining section of the ground floor provides the medical and surgical facilities, including the three operating theatres, imaging room, dental room, etc.

“This area also includes the kennels area (with door access to exercise area), small animal monitoring room and associated servicing rooms providing for cold storage, utility, laundry etc.

“The first floor will be retained but subdivided for offices, meeting rooms and staff facilities.

“Vehicular access to the development will remain from the existing gateway onto Barhams Close.

“This will access the car park, providing 28 car parking spaces (including two disabled spaces). In addition, eight cycle spaces are provided.”

The company's existing site at Quantock Terrace is not large enough for it to expand, as any extension would take up space that is needed for car parking. 

It submitted these plans after spending a “number of years” searching for alternative premises, including considering a unit at Bridgwater Trade Park.

Bridgwater Town Council supported the application on the basis it is “retaining a business premises and employment”.