The Province's Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) has thrown out a move by local businesses to block the opening of a supervised drug consumption site at 446 York St. in London.

The group of businesses is led by Drewlow Holdings, Northview Apartments and Burwell Auto. It filed an appeal to a city rezoning that would allow the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection and the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) to set up a permanent location where illegal drugs can be used under medical supervision.

A temporary consumption site has been operating at 186 King St. since February 2018. However, local health officials have said a permanent site is needed to curb a rise in overdoses as London faces the effects of a national opioid crisis.

Supervised consumption sites allow illegal drugs to be consumed under medical supervision as a way to prevent overdoses and limit the spread of disease through contaminated syringes.

In their appeal, the businesses argued that a drug use site would lead to public safety concerns, including discarded used syringes, loitering and a rise in drug-related crime.

However, the tribunal dismissed those arguments and ruled that the supervised consumption site will actually improve public safety in the area.

"The Tribunal finds that the provision of a supervised consumption facility in this location will be a positive step to bettering public health and reducing safety issues to the community at large," it said in its decision.

Dr. Chris Mackie, London's medical officer of health, said the decision removes a significant hurdle to getting a permanent site up and running.

"Today is a great day for the human rights of our most vulnerable citizens," said Mackie. "The research evidence is clear that this sort of facility does increase safety in the community overall."

Although Thursday's LPAT decision settles the land-use issue, questions remain regarding funding. In June, the province rejected permanent funding for the site, citing the zoning appeal.

Then, following a meeting at city hall with Mayor Ed Holder and Mackie 10 days later, Health Minister Christine Elliott said all options would be considered.

Mackie said Thursday provincial officials have indicated they'll take a second look at the funding decision after the land-use issue is cleared up.

"Hopefully this is all that's needed for provincial approval to come on line," he said.

Mackie said he expects construction of the York Street site will begin as soon as the funds are released.

In April of 2018, MLHU had also proposed a supervised consumption site at 241 Simcoe St. and a mobile unit. Mackie said Thursday he hasn't ruled out either of those plans, but said a mobile site is most likely the next step after the permanent site on York Street is up and running.