City foot clinic gets go-ahead

Plans for a new private foot clinic in the historic heart of Hereford have been approved.

Infinite Podiatry & Physio plans to expand to a grade II-listed building on the pedestrianised St Peter’s Street, opposite St Peter’s and St James’ Church, from its current premises in the village of Madley.

Converting the historic building, which has lain empty for about four years, to a clinic would give it “a new lease of life”, the application said.

Thought to date from at least the 17th century, with an 18th-century façade and 1920s shopfront, it was previously used as a Blue Cross charity shop, but had fallen into disrepair before recent refurbishment.

As the work requires new internal walls on the ground floor and new frontage, the practice had to seek listed building consent, which has now been granted.

The planned new layout would create two clinic rooms, a reception area and toilet. The unaltered upper floors would house further clinic rooms.

The council’s planning officer said the proposal would “provide a new use for a vacant heritage asset – a significant public benefit given the duty to protect listed buildings placed upon local authorities”.

No objections to the application, reference number 220339, were received.