Thrive Pharmacy Ltd has submitted a planning application to convert former offices on Finch Road into a pharmacy serving private patients from its clinic in Onchan.
The applicant says the pharmacy would not be open to the general public, meaning there would be no significant increase in footfall or traffic.
In the planning statement, the applicant says: ‘The proposed pharmacy will dispense prescription medicines exclusively to patients of the applicant's private medical clinic, based in Onchan. It is not intended to operate as a walk-in community pharmacy or retail premises.
‘The pharmacy will dispense prescription medicines only to registered patients after clinical consultations at its clinic in Onchan. It will not operate as a retail pharmacy open to the general public.
‘Patient visits will be limited and managed through appointments, resulting in significantly lower footfall than a typical retail pharmacy.’
The applicant argues that the proposal would have a positive impact on the area.
The planning statement says: ‘The plans will bring an existing office premises into a suitable and compatible use as a pharmacy which will make efficient use of an existing building without requiring new development.
‘It will also preserve the architectural and historic significance of the registered building.
‘As no external or internal alterations are proposed, the building's appearance will remain unchanged.’
The applicant says the proposed opening hours would be 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
The planning statement concludes: ‘The proposed change of use to pharmacy represents an appropriate and sustainable reuse of an existing registered building.
‘The proposal is low in intensity, generates limited traffic, preserves the character of the registered building and conservation area and requires no external alterations.
‘For these reasons, the applicant respectfully requests that DEFA grant planning permission for the proposed change of use.’