CHISLEHURST campaigners are celebrating after an appeal has ruled a new pharmacy can be built to 'address the inequality' in provision.

The NHS Litigation Authority found in favour of company Science Pharma and ruled the facility could be installed in Chislehurst Road - the now defunct Bromley PCT had previously refused the application.

Mottingham and Chislehurst currently only has 12 chemists per 100,000 people whilst Central Orpington has 24.

Chairman of the oral hearing panel that heard the appeal on behalf of the Family Health Services Appeal Unit Michael Sidey said: "Figures show in Chislehurst access to a pharmacy is by far the poorest in Bromley.

"By granting the application, the number of pharmacies per population is still by far the lowest in all of Bromley, but will nevertheless address the inequality."

Owner Sandeep Patel has lived in the area for 30 years teamed up with other residents to argue for a pharmacy opposite the Bickley Arms.

Mr Patel said: "This will end Chislehurst’s lowly rank in the official table of Bromley pharmacy services."

"We got fantastic support from neighbours, the Church, The Chislehurst Society, local businesses, local mums’ groups and commuters but were initially turned downed by the NHS.

"We decided to battle on and appealed, arguing that we would improve services, opening hours, home deliveries and offer better health care for residents."

Bromley PCT disbanded on April 1 and NHS Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group is now responsible for planning and buying healthcare services in the borough.