Plans have been lodged to transform part of a Braehead garden centre into a veterinary practice.

Renfrewshire Council is being asked to approve proposals submitted by CVS UK Ltd to have a surgery on part of the ground floor at Dobbies.

The firm, which already owns and operates more than 500 surgeries across the UK, plans to open the practice every day from 8.30am until 7pm and provide 24-hour emergency access, with vets on call.

The new surgery would have five consulting rooms, two theatres, a central surgical room, a pharmacy, a laboratory, an X-ray room, a dental suite and wards for dogs, cats and exotic animals.

A document included with the application from planning agents Turley states: “The proposals will enable the reuse of a part of the garden centre to provide a new attractive and modern veterinary practice.

“Once fully operational, the veterinary practice will support a number of full and part-time jobs, as well as requiring various local labour inputs during the fit-out works and construction process.

“The proposals will not significantly affect the overall predominance of commercial and retail uses within this area and will not threaten the economic, social or environmental condition of the area.

“Indeed, the change of use application seeks an alternate use of part of the garden centre premises, which is appropriate and which will complement other nearby uses in the vicinity.

“The submission demonstrates that the development proposals would deliver economic and social benefits. Indeed, it will facilitate employment within the site and will also provide social benefits, in that additional veterinary facilities will be available in the local area.”

The practice would also include an admin office, toilets for staff and customers, a changing room and a staff canteen.

The plans do not include any allocated car parking but documents state customers would be able to use existing spaces at the front of Dobbies.

An existing service yard to the north of the garden centre would provide an area for bin storage.

Council planners will make a decision on the application in due course, with a target date of March 26 being set.