The dental practice referred to has made no approach to the council regarding access issues relating to 2 Market Square, Daventry, since it started operating from the building. Neither have there been any complaints for us to investigate. There is no "access row" between us.

The director of the dental practice and his project designer approached the council's conservation officer in early summer 2007, seeking advice on plans for the development of the listed building as a dental practice.

The council's conservation officer had two meetings on site with the practice director and his project manager before submission of formal applications for works. The potential difficulties of meeting ideal access requirements were highlighted by the officer, given the need to retain the building's historic character.

The applicant decided to continue with the project knowing that some applications for alterations to alter access were unlikely to be supported.

The council has advised that temporary ramps can be used to gain access when a patient using a wheelchair has an appointment, and there is a ground-level consulting room inside so there should be no issue with less mobile patients needing to go upstairs once inside the building.
We have also indicated a suitable handrail could be installed.
Council officers would be happy to advise the practice again on the issue.
Tony Gillet
Corporate manager of Environment Protection
Daventry District Council