Shabbir Damani has been given approval to set up a cycle stand outside his pharmacy in the Old Chapel building, in Castor, near Peterborough, despite protests from three residents.

Members of Peterborough City Council's planning and environmental protection committee unanimously approved plans for the stand which has room for one bicycle.

They put aside objections from three residents who claimed there was not sufficient space for the proposed cycle stand.

Afterwards, Mr Damani said he wanted to have the stand to "promote community health" and encourage people to walk or cycle to the pharmacy.

He also took the time to reassure councillors about his plans for the pharmacy.

He said: "The primary care trust said years ago that there was a need for the pharmacy in Castor and Ailsworth.

"Under the previous application, there have been a number of objections and most of those relate to the doctors' surgery (Ailsworth Medical Centre) closing.

"However, the surgery has now said that it will not close."

Mr Damani also explained that his community pharmacy would be different in that he will be able to provide medication to the third of residents in the village who aren't registered with the surgery.

Mr Damani's original plans to convert the Old Chapel building into a pharmacy ended in failure on October 5, when councillors rejected his proposals.

Undeterred, Mr Damani appealed to the Planning Inspectorate and, on March 26, the inspectorate granted planning permission for the pharmacy.

It was concluded that, subject to three conditions, the proposal would only have "limited impact on the living conditions on nearby residents, with particular reference to parking and traffic" and would conform with planning policy.

The conditions included permission to open on Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm to "assist the provision of health services in the area", while not being allowed to open on Saturday or Sunday.