News / Scalloway pharmacy wins appeal
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a new pharmacy in the Shetland village of Scalloway have been given the go ahead after the applicants appealed to the Scottish government in the face of huge local opposition.
Norsepharm Ltd lodged their appeal in May shortly after Shetland Islands Council threw out their application to build a pharmacy next to the Kiln Bar on the Village’s Main Street.
Local people had been up in arms about the planned pharmacy when it was approved by NHS Shetland’s pharmacy practices committee in February.
Villagers feared the new chemist would threaten the Scalloway health centre, who put in a rival planning bid to protect their income from their own pharmacy.
The issue became so heated that Shetland MSP Tavish Scott raised the matter with health minister Shona Robinson to try and have the two applications dealt with at the same time.
When this attempt failed, the council’s planning board refused Norsepharm permission on the grounds that there was not enough parking space or room for delivery trucks. There had been 25 objections to the plan, though officials had recommended approval.
On Tuesday the Scottish ministers’ reporter Michael Cunliffe overturned the council’s decision and following a site visit last week granted permission for the building to go up in the area currently used as a car park by the Kiln bar, which had been previously occupied by the now-demolished Kiln Cottage.
Mr Cunliffe said that even though the building, which incorporates a first floor flat, was a modern design within a conservation area, it would fit in with its surroundings.
He said: “I find that the proposed development would be consistent with the development plan and would preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area, and that there are no material considerations of sufficient weight to justify refusal of planning permission.”
Mr Cunliffe added that he believed there was sufficient parking within the area, though he admitted the views from Scalloway Hotel’s dining room would be adversely affected and they might experience “a reduction in trade”.
Scalloway Hotel proprietor Caroline McKenzie said she was “deeply upset” by the decision, even though she acknowledged that views did not carry any weight in planning decisions.
“It seems ironic that this week we have been nominated for the best eating out experience in the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards and part of that whole experience is sitting in the dining room an enjoying the view, so we are quite sad that element of our business is going to be lost,” she said.
Norsepharm director Alex Johnston welcomed the decision, saying: “We are looking forward to providing a pharmacy for the 21st century in Scalloway and we have a lot of hard work ahead of us now.”
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