A new four-storey building featuring an NHS health centre and 17 homes could be built on a vacant plot of land.

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has submitted the plans for a one-acre site it owns on the Repton Park estate in Ashford.

The proposal says the ground floor would serve as an NHS health facility for residents with pre-booked appointments at a venue known as Repton Health Centre.

Offering non-surgical and non-emergency procedures, it would also be a base for outreach practitioners who serve across the district.

It would feature 33 rooms, of which 21 would be for treatment and consultations.

A further four would serve as a base for three outreach staff, while the rest would be comprised of offices and for reception use.

Further details about the type of services expected to be offered on a day-to-day basis have not been confirmed by either the NHS or ABC.

A spokesperson for NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board, which commissions healthcare services across the county, said: “With any health proposal, we would need to work with all partners to discuss the feasibility of any scheme, including affordability, and whether it meets the needs of the population in the area before it can progress to the detail.

“This particular proposal is at an early stage and we will continue to explore options with Ashford Borough Council.”

Meanwhile, the building’s first, second and third floors would contain 17 one-bedroom flats classified as social, affordable or rented properties.

The vacant plot off Ordinance Way, next to the Repton Park community centre, is owned by ABC which previously leased it to developers Persimmon Homes during the construction of homes on the estate.

Documents submitted by ABC say the homes would provide much-needed housing in the town due to the “demand for affordable rented housing outpacing supply”.

The papers read: “Affordability issues in the private rented sector and growing numbers of homeless households in temporary housing are also having an impact on the demand.

“ABC is keen to do more and has the ambition and capacity to deliver good quality additional homes, using land it already owns more efficiently or through the purchase of suitable sites, in areas with established infrastructure and good accessibility and connections.

“A need has [therefore] been identified for a health facility and adaptable social accommodation in the area.”

If approved, 33 full-time and two part-time colleagues would be employed - the majority at Repton Health Centre.

A pedestrian plaza is planned at the front of the building featuring paved and planted space, while a new car park entrance would be formed off Ordinance Way for access.

The car park would accommodate a total of 114 parking spaces - 72 for cars, seven for disabled users and one for an ambulance.

Electric car charging points and a further 17 secure storage units for wheelchairs and bicycles have also been earmarked.

Meanwhile, the building’s ground floor has also been planned to contain warden accommodation and an entrance lobby.

Cllr Matthew Forest says the project would be welcomed by those across the area.

The Conservative representative for Repton ward at ABC said: “It’s good to see something is actually coming forward.

“People have been coming forward to say when it may come, so it’s something we were expecting at some point.

“The minimum [service] wanted was a nurse-led clinic which covers a lot of services like blood tests. The space is certainly there for that.

“The two surgeries served by the area currently are [Kennington’s] New Hayesbank and at Charing.

“But if you don’t have access to transport it’s not the easiest and a bit of a trek, so having something local would be much appreciated.”