Six objections have been submitted to Dorset Council regarding the opening hours of a pharmacy in the former Lloyds Bank building in Manor Road.

The premises, located on one of Verwood’s main shopping street, is close to a late-night takeaway and cheese and wine bar, both of which open till 10.30/11pm most nights.

One neighbour thinks it is unreasonable for the pharmacy to stay open beyond 8pm saying it in a residential area, whilst another says there is already a late-night opening chemist in Ferndown so is not needed for the 15,000 people living in Verwoood.

Others argue external lights and noise would negatively affect surrounding properties, whilst another says opening a pharmacy in the evening may leave the area vulnerable to late-night vandalism.

Pharmland, the company that operates Verwood Pharmacy at the Lake Road Surgery, has permission to operate from the building but opening after 8pm was subject to a separate planning application. It is hoping to open till 11pm, fulfilling its NHS contract to open for 100 hours a week.

A new prescription collection robot is planned at the front of the premises to offer 24/7 availability to patients. A planning application for this has attracted four objections.

Whilst operating as a bank until September 2022, a 24-hour cash machine was in use on the side of the building, but the bank itself was limited to office hours.

Verwood Pharmacy is currently open till 11.30pm most nights from its base on Lake Road – surrounded by residential properties.

Comments close today (Application reference P/VOC/2023/00911).