Plans to boost services at a village pharmacy have been given the go-ahead by Durham County Council planners.
Last month, proposals were lodged to expand the footprint of Pelton Fell Pharmacy in Pelton Fell, near Chester-le-Street.
This included extensions to the building off Fell Road to allow for a bigger dispensary area and to relocate a consultation room and staff canteen.
A planning statement submitted with the application stated the extensions would provide “much needed space for business needs.”
It reads: “Pelton Fell Pharmacy was formed 10 years ago refurbishing a disused building formerly known as the ‘Old Man’s Hut’.
“The business has flourished over the years and become a well established part of the community providing an essential service for the supply of medicines, advice and treatments to the local residents in the area.
“Due to the natural business growth, increase in staff numbers and customers alike, the pharmacy now requires a larger building to be able to effectively deliver its dispensary service and to provide a comfortable and safe area for the staff to habit.”
Following consultation, Durham County Council planners approved the application on Wednesday, July 15.
A council decision report concluded that the plans were in a “sustainable location” and would cause no impacts on neighbours, with the wider application also meeting relevant planning policies.
It went on to say: “The scale and design of the development would be in keeping with the scale and design of the existing building and cause no adverse impact on the appearance and character of the surrounding streetscene.
“The site lies in a sustainable location within the existing settlement and in close proximity to other commercial uses. As such the proposal can be considered acceptable in principle.”
The new single-storey extensions will be built on disused land to the east and south of the existing building.
Under planning conditions, work must be brought forward within the next three years.
