A BID to set up a new dental surgery taking NHS patients could be rejected, it has emerged.Mid Suffolk district councillors are considering an application to change office space into a dental surgery in Kestrel Drive, at the large new Cedars Park estate on the edge of Stowmarket, in the parish of Creeting St Peter.

A BID to set up a new dental surgery taking NHS patients could be rejected, it has emerged.

Mid Suffolk district councillors are considering an application to change office space into a dental surgery in Kestrel Drive, at the large new Cedars Park estate on the edge of Stowmarket, in the parish of Creeting St Peter.

But officers are recommending the move is rejected, concerned that there would not be enough car parking spaces for customers and staff.

Stephen Andrews, planning control manager at the authority, said: "Anecdotal evidence suggests that there is an urgent need for dental surgeries in Stowmarket as all existing practices are at, or near, capacity.''

But Mr Andrews is concerned that the proposals are not in line with what the building is earmarked for - employment use - and has recommended refusal.

Stowmarket Town Council and Creeting St Peter Parish Council have both backed the surgery setting up business.

Barry Salmon, town councillor, said: "An NHS dentist would be excellent, people find it very difficult to get one at the moment.

"We want this. We have real concerns as a town council that there should have been facilities on Cedars Park from the outset. We would like a doctor's surgery and know there is the new school going up there in the not too distant future.

"This is about people having the opportunity to walk or cycle rather than having to get in their car and travel miles and miles.''

Residents also argue that people would be able to walk to the surgery and other dentists' practices in the town do not have car parking anyway.

The application, from a P J Barter, will be discussed by the district council's Southern Area Planning Control Committee on Monday.