TOWN councillors say there is a huge need for more pharmacies in St Austell and the surrounding area.

They made their views known after learning that Banns Pharmacy had been refused permission to provide a pharmacy in the Carclaze area and was appealing against the decision.

Councillors expressed their disappointment that the application had been refused and told of the long queues that formed at local pharmacies.

They felt that with the prospect of more housing in the area, and the push for people with minor health complaints to use pharmacies first rather than contacting a doctor, there was a major requirement for more pharmacies.

The councillors felt the appeal by Banns Pharmacy should be supported and they agreed that the council should write to the business reconfirming councillors’ backing for the idea of having a pharmacy in the Carclaze area.

Banns Pharmacy, which owns five chemist shops in Cornwall, first received support from the town council last year after outlining its plan for an chemist shop in the town.

A second business, Arompi UK, is appealing against the rejection of its separate proposal to create a new pharmacy in the St Austell area.

St Austell and Newquay MP Noah Law is supporting the appeals against the decisions by the South West Pharmaceutical Services Regulations Committee.

The Labour politician said local people had spoken of problems with ordering and collecting prescriptions, as well as with long waits at the town’s four pharmacies – Boots in the town centre, Asda at Cromwell Road, and Day Lewis at Wheal Northey and in Victoria Place.

Town councillor Jeremy Preece, who has led a petition calling for a new pharmacy, said: “There does seem to be a disconnect between the refusal of these applications and the experiences of local people - who have clearly articulated myriad challenges with accessing provision locally.”