Telford dog owner’s hackles raised by Wellington vets’ extension plan
A vet’s plan to build a small extension to house a CT scanner to help treat poorly pets has raised the hackles of a local dog owner.
Haygate Veterinary Centre, at Haygate Road, in Wellington, has applied for planning permission for a single-storey front extension to house the scanner which can take detailed 3D pictures of animals’ insides.
Haygate is a part of the Norfolk-based company CVS and a spokeswoman said: “We are applying for a small extension to our practice to house a new CT scanner.
“The scanner would be used to diagnose injuries and illness in local cats, dogs and other small animals.”
The practice has an X-ray machine but that produces 2D images to a 1cm precision and the new CT scanner will allow them to take 3D images to a 2mm precision.
“This will mean we can pick things up sooner, will help us to plan surgery more accurately, and will enable us to diagnose more complex illnesses without the need for referral to distant specialist sites,” said the spokeswoman.
“The CT scanner will also be especially helpful in animal trauma cases as – rather than using X-rays where multiple positions and pictures are needed – we’ll be able to scan an animal’s whole body quickly and in one pass, meaning we can then diagnose and treat the patient faster.
“This is a major benefit to our existing 24-hour service which is often presented with critical patients where time is key.
“The plans that have been submitted situate the scanner within the existing walled compound so it would have no impact on parking facilities at the practice.”
One of the local neighbours disagrees and has objected to the plans as a part of the council’s decision-making process.
He writes on the planning portal: “Currently while I support having extra care for animals as being a dog owner myself it is important.
“However, the proposed extension to the vets firstly has not been consulted with neighbours. As none of us have received any communication from the council or the vets themselves.
“Secondly the car park cannot cope with the current amount of customers which causes people to abandon the cars on the main Haygate Road and side roads causing obstructions including access to our drives.”
The objector says he also has road safety concerns about the area and cannot support it, considering “the construction noise and inconvenience.”
Agents at Barron Design Ltd have told Telford & Wrekin Council planners that the optimum solution is to extend the building using underused external spaces.
They add that the new development will maintain all existing access requirements and no extra traffic will be generated.
“The extension will provide a service which is complimentary to the existing use, so there is no additional traffic generation and therefore no change to the existing access arrangements or car parking provision on the site,” the planning documents say.
“There is a clear need for additional floorspace to accommodate the needs of the users of the veterinary practice. Care has been taken to ensure the proposal does not negatively impact amenities in the local area.”
The planning application is open for public comment on the Telford & Wrekin Council planning portal with the reference number TWC/2025/0023
