Former Edinburgh office to become new medical centre after Burdiehouse plans approved
New medical centre approved in the south of Edinburgh
A former Edinburgh office is set to become a new medical centre after change of use plans in Burdiehouse were approved by council planners.
The plans submitted by Alphamed Scotland Ltd in April were approved by the local authority on August 6, for a change of use from office to medical clinic at 45 Frogston Road East.
The transformation of the currently vacant corner suite at Broomhills Business Centre will provide a new clinic offering diagnostic/consultation rooms, minor procedure/treatment rooms, administrative/support space, and associated staff facilities.
And with surgeries across the city often struggling to meet demand, this new facility is sure to improve health provision in the south Edinburgh area.
If approved, there would be no internal or external changes to the building, with the existing five car parking spaces remaining. The plans show the office suite is divided into four main rooms, with a corridor, toilets, and a kitchen with storage space.
In the planning documents, the agent for Alphamed Scotland said: “The building is already consented and used for office purposes; the proposed change of use does not involve external extensions or major structural alterations.
“Access, parking and servicing arrangements remain as existing at Broomhills Business Centre.
“The building remains within its existing footprint and height. The proposed medical clinic will bring a sustainable re-use of an existing building within the Green Belt.
“The applicant provides high-quality healthcare provision which will support local employment, contribute to the local economy and provide an important healthcare service within the community.
“We respectfully request that City of Edinburgh Council grant planning permission for the proposed change of use to a medical clinic.”
Approving the change of use application, the council’s chief planning officer David Givan said: “The proposed use would be appropriate in this location, helping to support local area vitality, and principles of sustainability with re-use of an existing building.
“There is no clear justification to retain the currently vacant unit within office use to meet local office development needs, and the move away from Class 4 use in this instance would be acceptable.
“The proposals comply with the development plan; there are no material considerations that outweigh this conclusion.”
Healthcare Improvement Scotland backed the proposals, stating the new medical centre can operate as an independent clinic, but must only operate between the hours of 7am and 9pm, Monday to Sunday, except for the provision of emergency care. The health body added that the healthcare provider must only carry out non-surgical treatments.
The application site comprises the northern section of Broomhills Farm Steading, located approximately 600 metres to the south of Frogston Road East, and 300 metres north of the City of Edinburgh Bypass. The surrounding land is agricultural and is located within the Green Belt.
The applicant now has three years to carry out work to implement this change of use application, which received no public comments on the council’s online planning portal.
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