MORE than 200 people have signed a petition supporting the plan by the Market Place Dental Practice to open a second practice in Devizes.

Owner Philippa Riseley-Prichard has been advised by Kennet District Council's planning officers that they would be unlikely to support her plan to open a dental practice at the former Cook and Son butchers' shop in the High Street because they consider the site to be a prime retail area.

The Market Place Dental Practice has 6,000 patients of which 98 per cent are treated on the NHS. It wants to open an additional practice to take on an extra 6,000 NHS patients.

The practice intends to submit a planning application for the former butchers' shop in a few weeks time.

It has also started a petition which has already been signed by more than 200 people.

Kay Borrett, receptionist at the Market Place Dental Practice, said: "We have had a steady flow of people coming in to sign the petition. They have wished us well and hope we are successful with the planning application."

Copies of the petition are available to sign at the dental practice, in shops and at the minor injuries unit at Devizes Hospital.

Although planning officers are likely to recommend refusal, Kennet's regulatory committee can grant planning permission. District councillor Ray Parsons has asked for the application to go before the committee for it to make a decision.

He said that local people had expressed concern because many wanted increased access to NHS dental services.