BALMULLO residents have welcomed the prospect of a new pharmacy in their community.
NHS Fife’s Pharmacy Practices Committee approved a new dispensary in Pitcairn Drive when it met last month.
However, the decision is understood to be subject to an appeal.
A spokesman for Balmullo Community Council said: “Unfortunately, we understand that an appeal has been made against that decision.
“This news is the culmination of a lengthy process since a previous application was rejected in 2010 and the dispensary at the local GP practice was forced to cease dispensing from April 2012.
“The local support for a pharmacy in Balmullo has been solid and consistent throughout this period.
“The pharmacist making the application organised a public consultation process in February and over 400 of the 500 questionnaires issued were returned supporting the application.
“Fife health board then carried out its own online and paper survey in July and received a similarly high level of response in favour of a new pharmacy.
“With an increase of over 60% in population since the 2001 census, due to new housing estates, Balmullo has had an exceptionally high rate of growth to around 1,800 residents.
“The new pharmacy is expected to open within two months of final confirmation of the decision, assuming that the appeal against it is dismissed.
“This will mean Balmullo will lose its situation as the largest community in Fife without a pharmacy.”