Wiltshire Council is considering an application from a property company to open a temporary pharmacy in a “repurposed” shipping container in an area of the country that has the lowest proportion of pharmacists per 10,000 patients.

The council is considering an application from Povey Properties for the pharmacy and “welfare unit” at Broxburn Road in Warminster and said it will make a decision by January 10 next year at the latest.

In its application, Povey Properties said the proposed “vacant” site is “adjacent to a row of shops.” It said it consulted with Wessex Water, the council’s public protection team and highways department, police liaison officer, Warminster Town Hall and the Environment Agency.

Povey Properties also said the makeshift pharmacy would be a “temporary solution (and) part of a phased development approach, providing essential pharmaceutical services quickly while a permanent facility is being designed and constructed on the same site.”

“The proposed temporary pharmacy provides an essential service to the local community, addressing an immediate need for accessible pharmaceutical services in Warminster," it said. “Appropriate signage will be provided to ensure easy identification while maintaining a simple and professional look.”

It said the welfare unit will be “installed to the rear of the main pharmacy container” and contain two toilets “for use by staff and customers, ensuring the development meets all current standards.”

Last year, a report by Bath and North-East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire integrated care board revealed it had 2.1 pharmacists per 10,000 GP-registered patients compared to a national average of 2.9 pharmacists – the lowest proportion of pharmacists in the country.

Pictured: Generic image of a shipping container.