Moves by a development group on Millport to provide a new pharmacy at the Isle of Garrison has resurrected a bitter row with a local business owner.

Mr James Semple, who runs the private Millport Pharmacy, has hit out at plans for another such facility on the island which has been earmarked for the Garrison building, which houses the doctor’s surgery.

Last week, the Cumbrae Community Development Company (CCDC) alerted the island via a flyer that they intend to apply to NHS Ayrshire and Arran to open another pharmacy on the island.

The flyer stated: “We are currently in discussions regarding the possibility of opening a community pharmacy, with a full-time pharmacist, and all the required services, in Garrison House. This project would be run entirely by the development company for the benefit of patients, visitors and the community. The trading surplus would be used by our company for projects on the island.

“Government legislation has recently changed with regard to how the necessary licence is awarded with the community it serves having a large say in the process... for and against.

To that end, we would like you to indicate if you would support this venture. We would require the commitment of a large percentage of the community in order to take this project further.” Residents are then asked to vote online using a code which appears on the flyer.

Over recent years, there has been a long running controversy on Cumbrae concerning the loss of the dispensary at the GP unit, resulting in a long term search for a full-time GP on the island.

Mr James Semple, who opened the Millport Pharmacy three years ago, said: “As the owners of the existing pharmacy we will - as is usual in such cases - object to this application.

The fact of the matter is, there is almost zero chance of their application being allowed. What I find highly disappointing is that the CCDC - which was set up to support business on the island is instead attacking a business on the island - my own! Furthermore, they are using public money to fund this pointless application.” “Is this the message from the company - it is a trust to develop the island and encourage business - but if we don’t like you, we will set up in opposition to you? The fact of the matter is that the regulations have changed but the legal test for entry onto the pharmaceutical list has not changed, and hasn’t changed for the last 30 years. An application is only generated where it is necessary to secure an adequate pharmacy service - if it is not inadequate, then the application fails the test.

“The new regulations are to try and encourage more public communication and consultation - that does not change the nature of the test. It does not matter if there is a 99% vote in favour of a new pharmacy; it has no relevance to the decision making.” “The CCDC seems to me to have been set up with worthy aim - and the people who were behind the saving of the Garrison - are to be admired but it would strike me that the CCDC has now been hijacked by the same people who run the SODs (Save our Dispensary) organisation, and far from using that organisation to forward the aims of the community, they are instead using to carry on their own petty vendetta against the pharmacy on Cumbrae.

“From a business perspective, there is barely enough people on Cumbrae to support a pharmacy.

The Millport SODS group took their argument as far as the Scottish Parliament after struggling to get a full-time GP on the island after losing their dispensary, but now have a locum GP has been in place for an extended period of time, and appears set to be confirmed for the full-time position.

And in a vow to CCDC, Mr Semple said: “There is no possibility of the community supporting two community pharmacies - it is simple economics. In the almost inconceivable event of them being granted an application, there will be an inevitable war of attrition between my business and there’s. And I would win.” Cllr. Alan Hill, who is a member of CCDC, said: “I am aware that CCDC is consulting its membership on this issue. The opening of the existing pharmacy and its effect on the island’s medical services is well documented. There are still a large number of local people refusing to use the pharmacy and collecting their prescriptions from Largs.

“At the end of the day, this is an issue for the membership at large to pronounce on. If they are keen to explore this issue then they will vote yes. I await their decision with interest.” A spokesman for the development company said: “We are in the early stages of canvasing the community for their views on whether they would support a new pharmacy, based in Garrison House. Once the results are known we will decide whether to proceed with an application. However this will require strong community support.” Stephen Dobbin, CCDC Treasurer, added that he would like to assure the community that at no point has CCDC contributed to the funding of this project.