Call to Milton of Leys residents after chemist shop blocked
Councillor Cathy Sengupta (front centre) and other residents who expressed their annoyance recently that an application for a shop/chemist at Milton of Leys had been blocked.
RESIDENTS in Milton of Leys are being urged to attend a meeting next week to give their views about what shops and facilities they want to see in the area.
Their opinions on a proposed development by Apple Pharmacist Group will be the particular focus, after a recent application was recently scuppered after an appeal by a rival firm.
The Highland News told in April how residents were up in arms after plans for their first facility, a shop and chemist, were turned down following an objection from Rowlands Pharmacy, whose nearest outlet is at Balloan Park, Hilton.
The application for the chemist element was considered by a national appeal panel which overturned the original approval decision on the grounds there was already pharmaceutical provision at Rowlands and Tesco Inshes.
The knock-back infuriated householders as it meant the applicant, Apple Pharmacist Group, has had to halt plans for the development.
However, Inverness South Community Council in conjunction with Milton of Leys Residents Association is inviting people to attend a meeting next Monday, June 6, at Inshes School, to show support for Apple Pharmacist Group’s application, as well have a say on what services they would like to see in the area.
Cathy Sengupta, Inverness South community councillor and resident, urged people to attend the meeting, which will also involve a presentation by Sanjay Majhu, Apple’s chief executive, about his proposed pharmacy/grocery unit at the Milton of Leys amenity site neighbouring the school currently being constructed.
She said: "The purpose of the meeting is to inform and gauge opinion from the wider community with regard to proposed shops in general and Apple Pharmacy in particular. We are delivering flyers to each house in the hope that we get a good turnout to hear presentations by to Apple Pharmacy and NHS Highland Pharmacy Practice Committee.
"In view of the recent successful Rowlands Pharmacy appeal against the Apple Pharmacy application for a licence to site a pharmacy at Milton of Leys, we would like to hear the opinion of the residents and to debate how best to support Apple Pharmacies in the event they put in another application. It is important to both organisations that the people who reside in Milton of Leys have their say in the provision of local amenities rather than be at the mercy of commercial dictat."
The meeting begins at 7pm.
