Rottingdean Pharmacy To Be Redeveloped As Councillors Approve New Flats And Shop

A chemist in Rottingdean can close and be demolished to make way for a new shop with flats above.

Councillors granted planning permission to Wetton Cleaning Services Retirement Benefit Scheme to redevelop the Rottingdean Pharmacy building at 2-4 West Street, between Tesco and the dentist surgery.

Brighton and Hove Independent councillor Mark Earthey told a meeting at Hove Town Hall that he was concerned about the loss of the pharmacy.

When Brighton and Hove City Council’s Planning Committee approved the plans yesterday (Wednesday 10 January), Councillor Earthey, who represents West Saltdean and Rottingdean, abstained.

Councillor Earthey told the committee that the pharmacy was a “one-man band” having previously been run by a large national chain.

He said that it was “well used” by residents. People with mobility issues could park outside, he said, and come and go using the ramp to and from the front door.

Councillor Earthey said:

“The retail floor plan in the building, even if the pharmacist moves out for a while and moves back in again, isn’t really suitable for a pharmacist.

“There’s no space for a consulting room or any kind of private space for vaccinations. There is no mention of any internal wall soundproofing.”

He said that the space did not seem big enough for a pharmacy because they required large storerooms as well as a prescription processing area.

West Street Rottingdean Image By Morton Scarr 

If the pharmacy went, the nearest alternatives would be in Saltdean, Woodingdean or Asda at Brighton Marina.

The Planning Committee was told that the shop was not restricted to being a pharmacy but could be used for any type of retail when it reopened.

But the existing pharmacist has been offered a long-term lease on the new shop.

Green councillor Sue Shanks said that Rottingdean Parish Council should contact Brighton and Hove City Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board about pharmacies in the area.

She said:

“It would be worth checking if there is an assessment of whether there are enough pharmacies in the area.

“It’s a separate thing from when someone wants to open the shop. If there wasn’t a pharmacy, I think they can try to find somebody to run it.”

Labour councillor Jacob Allen approved of the design because the building’s proposed flint finish would be in keeping with the rest of the centre of the village.

Councillor Allen also addressed parking concerns, saying that:

“I can’t think of an area in the east of the city that’s better connected by buses going east, west and north. Obviously you can’t go south.

“It’s a real interchange. The ramp and the step need to go so I’m glad this is a step-free development.”

Conservative councillor Carol Theobald said:

“It’s a shame to lose the pharmacy if that’s the only one in Rottingdean. That would be a great pity.

“I thought the design could be better than that. I was worried about the car parking but the owners might not have a car and there are lots of buses outside.”