ALMOST 6,000 people will be able to register with an NHS dentist in West Craven if planning permission is granted for a new dental practice.

A change of use application for a two-surgery practice at Park Avenue, Barnoldswick, has been submitted to Pendle Borough Council.

The premises used to be a dental surgery run by Margaret Lord but occupied only on the ground floor. Integrated Dental Holdings Ltd, the country's largest provider of dental practices, has submitted the application to use the whole property.

If approved the site would be home to three new NHS dentists - giving the town back its much-valued NHS dentistry provision - with staff and office area. It is hoped the surgery will be in place by autumn.

Members of the West Craven area committee will now consider the application when it meets on Tuesday June 28.

Currently there are no NHS dentists in Barnoldswick and Earby. In October last year, West Craven's only NHS dentist, Adam Evans, of Diamond Smiles Dental Centre, sparked a storm of protest when he announced plans to go private three years after it opened its doors as an NHS practice with a £30,500 grant from the Government.

At the time, Mr Evans said he regretted the decision, but blamed government restrictions placed on NHS dentists.

Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust, who have responsibility for NHS provision, said at the time it was "deeply disappointed."

A spokesman said at the time: "This particular situation is even more disappointing given that the former East Lancashire Health Authority had invested a significant amount of money in supporting the establishment of this practice. There had been an understanding that, given this financial support, the practice would retain its NHS commitment. It is very unfortunate that this has not proved to be the case."

The primary care trust is hoping to end up with increased NHS provision for the town, with the three dentists providing services for up to 6,000 patients under the terms of a new dental contract.

The PCT spokesman added: "Progress is in the hands of the planning body, and we await their deliberations. We are well down the track with matters, and have a provider who is willing to come and set up NHS provision in Barnoldswick.

"We are confident that we could have NHS provision available by autumn if the application goes through and there are no setbacks."

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice, who spoke out in the House of Commons to condemn the decision of the Diamond Smiles to leave the NHS and go private has welcomed the application.

He said: "Following the opening of the Personal Dental Service clinic in Nelson and the setting up of new dental suites at Yarnspinners, this is another step in the right direction for NHS dentistry in Pendle. The dental action plan that has been developed for the area is really making things happen at last."