A Cockermouth dentist plans to open a new practice later in the year.

Derwent Dental Care has outgrown its existing premises on Kirkgate.

Owner Paul Rowlands bought land off Wakefield Road last year and applied to Allerdale council for planning permission to build a new practice.

He has since decided to sell the land and move into an existing building on the other side of Wakefield Road.

Mr Rowlands, who expects the build to cost up to £750,000, said: “Basically, it will be quicker, cheaper and easier.

“There is also more space where we are going, which gives us more potential for expansion.”

The practice, which has four dentists and four hygienists, will be moving into Derwent House where the top/ second floor will be converted.

Mr Rowlands said: “We shall create a fantastic, state-of-the-art dental practice.

“There will be four surgeries, with room for a fifth, a consulting room and spacious waiting room.

“We have also bought the ground floor so that we can put in a lift to access the dental practice.

“It’s a beautiful building. It will be great to get it up and running.”

Derwent House Orthodontics will remain on the first floor.

The building used to be occupied by Derwent House Surgery until it moved to the town hospital.

Mr Rowlands has applied to Allerdale Council for permission for change of use of top floor offices to dental practice combined with existing D1 first-floor use.

He hopes builders will be on site by June and that the new practice can open in the autumn, three years after it first opened in Kirkgate. He plans to sell the Kirkgate building.

At the moment staff are having to work out of two surgeries, which means they have to do split shifts some days, staying open from 8am to 8pm to accommodate this.

“We will be able to offer more services, which means people will no longer have to travel for treatment,” said Mr Rowlands.