BARNSLEY Council is in discussions with several potential occupiers for the remaining units in the town centre’s Glass Works.
And in the latest move, it has been announced that a private dental practice is hoping to fill one of the units after submitting plans to the council’s planning board.
If the plans are approved, the five-surgery dental practice will fill a vacant unit adjacent to The Fragrance Shop and next to both Next and Flannels.
A report states: “This planning statement is produced to support a request for the issue of a lawful development certificate for the proposed use of a private dental practice at the Glass Works.
“The works comprise the fit out of a newly-constructed retail unit within a covered shopping centre to form a dental surgery.
“The retail unit is currently a ‘shell’ with incoming gas, water, electricity, fire alarm and sprinkler feed.
“It will comprise five surgeries, an X-ray room, decontamination and associated servicing rooms.
“The works include the erection of a steel mezzanine floor structure and feature a spiral staircase and timber stud walls clad with plasterboard.”
Should the plans be deemed acceptable, the town centre occupancy rate would increase.
Latest figures show that the occupancy rate of the entire town centre, including the Glass Works is 86 per cent – while the Glass Works alone is 88 per cent.
A Barnsley Council spokesperson said: “BMBC are in discussion with several occupiers for the remaining vacant units at the Glass Works.
“Further announcements will be made once leases are completed.”
Public consultation on the plans end on February 9.
