PLANS for a new pharmacy in a Worcestershire village appear to have fallen through.

Bradford-based Oakley Enterprises has missed the deadline to gain full consent for its proposal to open a chemist in Kempsey, near Worcester.

The initial plans to establish a pharmacy close to the crossroads of Main Road, Church Street and Old Road North, came to light last year.

NHS Worcestershire turned down the proposal after it decided a new pharmacy was “not considered necessary or expedient”, but Oakley Enterprises had the decision overturned on appeal in April.

They had until this weekend to confirm they wanted to go ahead with the plans, but a trust spokesman confirmed on Monday there had been no contact from the company.

This meant its application for the pharmacy had effectively expired and it would have to begin the process again if it was to press forward with the plans.

The Worcester News previously reported how doctors at Kempsey Surgery, which already provides a drug dispensary, feared a competing pharmacy could put a question mark over the practice’s existence because it would no longer be cost effective to run.

Dr Mark Smith, senior partner, said the news meant the surgery could continue to provide its services in the village.

“Our understanding with [Oakley Enterprises’] provisional application is they haven’t followed [it] up to convert [it] to a full application,” he said.

“They needed to tell the trust where they were intending to work from and they haven’t. That means their application has lapsed.

“We’re delighted. We very much want to be able to continue our presence in the village.

"It means there shouldn’t be any threat to the service we provide.”

Dr Smith said he hoped the news would give the surgery “breathing space” to talk to the parish council about medical provision in the village as part of future development plans for Kempsey.