Blackburn to get new dental surgery in former taxi office

Officers at Blackburn with Darwen Council have approved proposals to convert a ground-floor unit at Graphic House, Tontine Street, into a dental practice with two treatment rooms.

The application, submitted by A Rafiq, sought permission to change the use of the premises from a taxi booking office to a Class E dental surgery.

The scheme was approved under delegated powers by council planning officers.

The approved scheme will create a reception and waiting area, two treatment rooms and a decontamination room.

All of the works will be carried out internally, with no changes proposed to the appearance of the building.

The new dentist will be based just off Barbara Castle Way (Image: Google Earth)

 The premises occupy a street-front position within Graphic House, a multi-let commercial building off Barbara Castle Way.

The unit was previously approved for use as a taxi booking office in February 2025, but the latest application replaces that consent with that of a dental surgery.

In the application, it is argued that the proposal would bring a new healthcare service to one of the borough’s most accessible locations while ensuring the continued use of an existing commercial unit.

The submission said the development represented the “efficient reuse” of the premises and would preserve the character of both the building and the surrounding street scene.

Planning officers concluded the proposal was acceptable in principle because of its location within Blackburn town centre, where local planning policies encourage development that supports the vitality and viability of the centre.

Their report said the proposed use would help support connections to the town centre and benefit from a sustainable location close to public transport links, walking routes and cycling infrastructure.

The council’s public protection team raised no objection to the plans but recommended restrictions on opening hours. As a condition of approval, the surgery can operate only between 8am and 6pm from Monday to Saturday and must remain closed on Sundays and bank holidays.

Parking was also considered during the assessment. While the site has no dedicated parking spaces, officers noted that it is located in the town centre, close to public transport options, and benefits from pay-and-display parking directly outside the premises.

Approving the application, officers concluded that the development complied with local policies on sustainable development, town centre uses, amenity and transport, clearing the way for the former taxi office to be converted into a new dental practice.