Approval recommended for extension of Rossett Pharmacy
Plans to extend a village pharmacy to allow for the expansion of NHS services within the community have been recommended for approval.
Earlier this year Wrexham.com reported that an application had been submitted to modernise and expand Rossett Pharmacy.
The plans included an extension to the first floor of the building on Chester Road and the change of use of a section on the ground floor to allow for additional pharmacy storage.
Currently on the ground floor there is shop to the front and dispensary in the middle and staff facilities to the rear.
Details provided by the applicants earlier this year explained: “The NHS is seeking the established pharmacy to provide better NHS services to their community and help improve access to primary care services in the area.
“The pharmacy owner is constrained in terms of ground floor space that is already used at maximum capacity, so the first floor space needs to be utilised.
“It is proposed to rationalise and modernise a very cluttered and intensely used space.
“With the removal of the staircase this front area of the shop will be opened up and create better circulation for customers (and seating for the infirm waiting for prescriptions).
“At the moment products are packed into a cramped space making it difficult to find items and deterring customers.”
The application, which will go before planning committee members on Monday 6 November, have been recommended for approval by Wrexham Council’s chief officer of economy and planning, David Fitzsimon.
However five representations from local residents were made over the plans, with concerns over bin storage, the impact on the Conservation Area and the impact of the removal of a chimney in the Conservation area.
In his report, which can be viewed in full here, Mr Fitzsimon said: “The external alterations would be the enclosure of an open section to the rear of the pharmacy.
“There would be no increase in roof height and no additional windows. The alterations would result in no unacceptable impact upon the
amenities of nearby residential properties.
“The proposed development would result in a minor change to the appearance of the original building. Matching materials would be used
and there would be no impact to the wider street scheme or harm to the Conservation Area.
“The area to be occupied by the extension is currently used as an external bin store.
“The applicant has confirmed that waste will be stored internally and disposed of via a waste removal provider.
“The extension therefore does not increase the likelihood of bins being stored to the front of the premises.”
Mr Fitzsimon added: “The development would not give rise to any residential amenity, design or highway safety concerns. It therefore accords with the relevant UDP and draft LDP policies.”
The application will be considered for approval by members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee at 4pm on Monday 6 November. The meeting will also be streamed live on the Wrexham Council website.
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