City eye doctor approved for practice expansion in East Toowoomba

Plans by a prominent Toowoomba eye doctor to expand his practice in a leafy city suburb have been given the green light. See what he has planned here.

APPROVED: The Toowoomba Regional Council has given the green light for a business to make extensions to a heritage-listed property on Margaret Street in East Toowoomba.

A doctor has been given the green light to expand his medical practice at a heritage-listed property in a leafy Toowoomba suburb.

Ophthalmologist Dr Ashley Seawright, acting as Seawright Superannuation Fund, submitted plans to the council in May to add new medical spaces at the rear of the property on Margaret Street in East Toowoomba.

The property is listed as a local heritage place by the council.

According to the report by Precinct Urban Planning, the works comprised the second stage of a 2016 approval.

“The proposed building works involve minor demolition works, including the removal of a storage room and existing PWD parking space to facilitate a new pathway and driveway to the proposed carpark at the rear of the site, and the removal of a door, toilet and storage cupboard in the northwestern portion of the building,” the report said.

“The proposed extension will comprise an additional reception/waiting room, two consult suites, a treatment room, office and staffroom.

“The proposed development will also incorporate internal alterations to the existing floor area which will replace an existing office with amenities, and two consult rooms.”

The report argued the changes would complement the building’s character and design.

“The existing building is single storey, has a maximum height of 5.481m above natural ground level, and is constructed of brick external walls and roof tiles,” it said.

“The existing facade of the building will be maintained and the extension at the rear of the building will use external weatherboard cladding, face brick feature blades and roof tiles to ensure the additions appropriately integrate with and are sensitive to the existing heritage place and adjoining heritage place located at 55 Margaret Street.”

Council planning officer Jayden Forbes-Mitchell approved the plans, attached several conditions for the applicant to follow.