THE Mount Vets is set to complete its move to a new building on the A38 near Cades Farm, on the outskirts of Wellington, by the end of this month.

Plans to convert the present practice in High Street into five flats and to build seven more in the car park have been approved.

The veterinary hospital, which employs 45 staff and treats tens of thousands of animals a year, has outgrown the existing building.

Vet and partner Charlotte Freeman recently told the WWN: “We have invested heavily on equipment and staff in recent years and I suppose you can say this completes the project.”

The new hospital is sited on about 1.75 acres of land and the building has separate entrances and areas inside for the farm and small animal parts of the practice.

The vets is planning a series of open evenings for clients and the general public. An open day will be held in the spring.

Having a purpose-built hospital will enable the practice to run more efficiently and it will be a much better working environment for staff, clients and patients

Planning permission was obtained in 2012 after several years of work leading up to approval.

The small premises in Lancer Court, Wellington, with consultation room and retail area, will remain after the move to the new hospital so clients can buy medication or see a vet if they cannot make it to the new building.