YORK could be set for a new dentist - but don't go rushing to queue up just yet.

City of York Council has received an application for permission to open a dental surgery in Bishopthorpe Road, but the site is unlikely to be filled by a dentist for at least three years.

Peter Black, who owns 33 Bishopthorpe Road, said he believed the premises would be suitable for a dental practice, but he has put the application on hold as another tenant has come forward.

Mr Black said: "I was going to try to get planning permission to have a dental surgery, because I think it would be appropriate for that."

He said Research Matters approached him before he had completed the application process, and he had now put it on hold.

He said he had not been approached by any dentist, but wanted to secure permission in advance, so the premises could be advertised to dentists looking for a practice.

From next month, the site will be occupied by Research Matters, a firm which helps businesses formulate strategies. Laura Barrett, one of the directors, said: "We are a business research consultancy service. There are going to be three of us doing business research for clients, competitor analysis and market analysis, and helping them through research that helps companies build strategies."

Last month The Press reported that thousands more patients faced being left without an NHS dentist, after another York practice decided to go private.

Woodthorpe Dental Centre in Moorcroft Road wrote to patients informing them of the change, which takes effect next month. The practice's two dentists see about 2,500 patients, 2,000 of whom are on the NHS.