A dentist’s surgery in a Grade-II listed building could be forced to move if plans to change it into an unspecified retail outlet are approved.

More than 90 people have objected to the plans to change the use of the site at 5 Hill Street, which includes The Smile Studios dentist clinic, with one saying it would be an "act of vandalism".

Residents have said the changes would be "detrimental" while others have pointed out there are several retail units nearby that are unused.

But the developer said that he "wouldn’t dream of touching the building" and believes people have not read the application properly.

Richard Midda has said he has no plans to change it into a shop and wants to "renew" it.

A decision has not yet been made, a council spokesperson confirmed.

Dr Mani Bhardwaj, a dentist at The Smile Studios since 2006, is said to be "gobsmacked" by the number of people opposing the planning application.

He said: “It’s patients and just the general public, people that sometimes don’t even live in Richmond, appreciate [what it means].

“When people come to Richmond that’s what they expect, they expect to see a heritage [because] it’s almost like history here.

“People are already annoyed that they are getting big shops all coming and then leaving, and then you have all different kinds of others coming and going.

“The whole boutique and heritage town kind of features are being lost.”

He added: “I think, partly, the reason being is because the general public are opposing because they can see that it’s not being stopped, it’s just happening for the sake of money.

“There are not many towns that have that historic value within our vicinity.”

More than 90 people have objected to the plans on the Richmond Council website since the application when it was validated (July 7).

Ajit Sarpal, a patient at The Smile Studios, said: “I have been attending The Smile Studios for many years and one of the reasons I choose to visit this practice is due to the ambience.

“If we do not preserve such a beautiful building from within, Richmond will lose its charm and just become a run-of-the-mill high street.”

Formerly an 18th Century house, 5 Hill Street was the foyer for the Gaumont Cinema before it was demolished in the 1980s and converted into office use.

Rachel Maund said: “This is a distinctive old building, inside as well as out, currently preserved as such.

“Turning it into yet another retail unit would be an act of vandalism.”

Rati Kachwaha said: “Historical and grand buildings like this is what gives Richmond its charm and regal feeling.

“It will be a huge tragedy if this building is converted into a retail unit.”

The developer, Richard Midda, said: “We’re not destroying the building, we’re very happy with the way it is. We’re just renewing it.”

“I’m not touching the building, it’s a lovely building [and] I wouldn’t dream of touching it.”

“I don’t think that people have looked at the planning application properly.”

Two planning applications for the site have been submitted, a council spokesperson stated, and a consultation is being carried out.

Officers will review all the representations before a decision is made, the spokesperson added.

To view the application, search Richmond Council’s planning portal with the reference 17/2241/LBC.