A FORMER Landrindod Wells cafe is set to be transformed into a dental practice after planning permission was granted.

A change of use application on behalf of Dr Tanzeem Raees will see the popular former Aromas café on Middleton Street turned into a dental surgery, with the largely private Craig Dental Practice taking over the premises.

Applicant Dr Raees’ practice is currently housed on the spa town’s Temple Street.

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The application was submitted in May, with planning granted by Powys County Council (PCC) on August 3.

Permission was refused in February of this year, when a certificate of lawfulness application failed.

Dentistry has been a long-running issue for the town, before Powys Teaching Health Board announced last December that a new contract for NHS dental provision had been granted.

The health board announced the NHS would be taking over the former MyDentist premises, also located on Temple Street, in the Old Town Hall buildings.

Little Owl Dental has been up and running since the early part of 2023.

Llandrindod county councillor Pete Roberts said the fact that the town had been able to secure an NHS dentist was an improvement, but admits things are still not perfect.

“The new NHS dentist has moved into the old MyDentist premises. This has been the main priority,” said Councillor Roberts.

“The issues with dental provision is not just a Llandrindod problem, it’s a problem across Wales. There is a shortage of NHS dentists and NHS staff in general.

“Wales has been heavily reliant on EU freedom of movement. That has disappeared post Brexit which has led to the shortage.”

Securing an NHS dentist’s seat in the town, he admitted, has been a “tough fight”.

“It has showed the need,” added Cllr Roberts.

“Recruiting someone has been a bonus. It has resulted in better access for local people, without question. Especially compared to other towns across Mid Wales.

“My worry is that the overall lack of provision is going to get worse before it gets better. There is a significant shortfall across the UK.”

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The NHS seat in Llandrindod was brought about thanks to a campaign by local Liberal Democrat party members, in collaboration with the town council.

Llandrindod Wells Town Council created a survey in January 2020 about dental provision within Powys and had campaigned for improved provision within the county.

The survey provided evidence of major difficulties experienced by residents of Llandrindod and surrounding areas.

The report specifically highlighted Llandrindod and Knighton as areas of deep concern, including issues like waiting times, the inability to register with an NHS dentist and patients having to travel long distances to access dental care.

In some cases, Powys residents had been unable to get an appointment for three years despite having a broken tooth.