Plans to build a chemist in a growing Lanarkshire community have been thrown out despite demand from locals.
The Ferniegair Pharmacy in Hamilton proposals were launched after residents noted there wasn't a chemist within reasonable walking distance in the area.
A public consultation by NHS Lanarkshire received more than 600 responses with 90 per cent of people in favour of it opening.
Ferniegair has a number of new build houses and locals were keen to have the service in place for the expanding community.
However the health board this week refused the application citing it was "neither necessary or desirable".
The decision has been met with disappointment after almost a year of discussions over the move.
Gillian Forsyth, primary care improvement and development manager, told Lanarkshire Live : “The minute of the hearing to consider the application for a new pharmacy in Hamilton was formally submitted to Lanarkshire NHS Board Monday and taken to the board meeting this week.
“On Tuesday all concerned parties were advised that the application was refused on the grounds that it was neither necessary or desirable in terms of the statutory test."
Leading up to the application meeting, Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon backed the proposals, urging NHS Lanarkshire to rubber stamp the move.
She said it would save local residents travelling into Hamilton or Larkhall and that a pharmacy within walking distance was much needed.
However the Scottish Labour politician has since expressed her disappointment at the proposals being shut down.
Ms Lennon said: “It is clear from the responses to the consultation that Ferniegair residents want and need a pharmacy in the area, so it is incredibly disappointing that NHS Lanarkshire has refused the application.
“With a number of new housing developments, the population of Ferniegair has expanded considerably in recent years and will do so again over the next few years.
“Having such a service in the local area would save residents travelling into Hamilton and Larkhall, as was pointed out in the responses to the consultation.
“It would also help prevent health inequalities and support COVID recovery.
“Having already written to NHS Lanarkshire in support of the proposals, I will back any appeal made by the applicants and would strongly urge the health board to reconsider.”
The Ferniegair Pharmacy hoped to be located in Unit 3 of Allanton Gardens.
The applicants already operate two village pharmacies in Lanarkshire, a factor Ms Lennon previously told would strengthen the plans as the new chemist would have been in "very capable hands".
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