Plans submitted to Wigan council propose relocating Abram Pharmacy to a new larger building with four apartments above it. The current pharmacy on Warrington Road is described as 'not of a sufficient size to cater for existing and future needs as services adapt and expand'.
New location and design
If approved, the chemist will move to a new 2.5 storey building around 100 metres away on a currently vacant and overgrown plot at the junction of Warrington Road with Kingsdown Road. Homes previously occupied the plot before it was cleared; it is currently fenced off and not classed as open space by Wigan council.
A design and access report supporting the plans states: "This statement supports a planning application for the erection of a 2.5 storey mixed use building, consisting of a chemist at the ground floor level and four apartments at the first and second floors." The building is designed to appear as four houses despite having a single ground floor commercial use, with dormer windows on the front elevation and skylights in the rear roof slope.
Previous proposal and benefits
A previously approved proposal to build seven homes and parking at the site from a different applicant has not gone ahead. The design and access statement outlines benefits of a larger pharmacy, including a commitment to maintaining continuity of pharmaceutical services with no interruption to existing NHS and private services.
The statement adds: "The proposed purpose-built premises will enhance service provision through level-access entrance, disability compliant facilities, dedicated parking and custom designed consultation rooms." It supports expansion of clinical services including NHS Pharmacy First, hypertension case finding, smoking cessation, vaccinations, health checks, and will provide greater privacy and capacity. Increased dispensing and storage space will improve stock range, efficiency, resilience, and reduce waiting times.
Parking and decision
Five parking spaces are included in the plans for the pharmacy use of the site. Planners at Wigan council will decide on the plans in the coming weeks.
