Proposals to build a super medical hub to replace three rundown surgeries could see the introduction of bookable parking spaces.

A number of slots would be made reserveable for less mobile patients if the proposed site is approved in Steele Avenue, Greenhithe.

The idea has already been used in other surgeries built by the developers MGI Healthcare Developments.

They say the number of spaces reserved would be determined by the percentage of the practices’ patients deemed to require them.

If approved, the proposed medical hub would replace three practices in Greenhithe: Ivy Bower surgery, in Ivy Bower Close, Elmdene Surgery, in London Road, and Stone and Greehithe Surgery on London Road, Greenhithe.

All of which have no parking, while the new site is offering 48 spaces, including staff working, underneath the building.

Spokesman for MGI Heatlhcare Developments Rohin Dhand said: “In terms of parking numbers the three current practices have no parking.

“On this site we will be providing 48 with the possibility, subject to highways agreement, that a proportion can be booked out for patients with accessibility issues.”

The developers held a consultation day at St Marys Church on London Road, in Greenhithe – just a stone’s throw from the site of the proposed new super surgery – where representatives from the two practices involved outlined their support.

The site would see patients from the three surgeries, which are represented by two different practices, Swanscombe and Bean Partnership and the Temple Hill Group, share one building.

Mr Dhand said: “All three of the sites are currently owned by private landlords. They are at significant risk of eviction.

“Room usage runs at over 100 per cent and doctors are struggling to accommodate the needs of patients from the buildings which are incredibly cramped and lack adequate facilities and flexibility.

“This means that services, and service providers are having to seek alternative locations and access to high quality services is compromised.”

In the last four years patient lists at the three surgeries involved have increased by 52 per cent.

Mr Dhand said: “Current provision is inadequate for the growing number of patients. The new building will meet current capacity and allow for some future capacity.”

He stressed plans did not involve the two partnerships merging or combining their patient registers.

He also reiterated that the chosen site for the hub is easily accessible by public transport, close to the pharmacy at Asda and central for patients from the three surgeries effected.

It is argued the proposed site would provide desperately needed additional capacity of about 600-700 appointments daily to provide health and care services to Stone, Greenhithe and Ebbsfleet/Swanscombe population.

Dr Adekemi Osadiya, from the Temple Hill Group, is also in favour of the plans.

“The site is in a very good location, central for local transport routes and for the vast majority of our patient population,” she said.

“The proposed site would provide fit for purpose facilities to meet the changing needs of our patient population and cater for a population of up to 20,000 in the coming years.”

Cllr David Mote (Con), who represents Greenhithe and Knockhall, said: “The general consensus of residents is that we desperately need a health centre and this seems to be an appropriate location.

“People are still concerned regarding parking as they feel there needs to be more, and there are concerns the area being build on is not really big enough and space is going to be very tight.”

He added: “There is an extra area of space next to the site which Kent County Council could hopefully be persuaded to allow them to add to their plans to allow for extra parking.”

A committee date has not yet been confirmed for determination of the plans but the latest proposals can be viewed by clicking here and search for the planning reference 23/00145/FUL.

In November 2021 private talks over the NHS-led proposal were held by Kent County Council, where it was agreed to sell vacant greenfield land on the car park site, which has been owned by the authority since 1973, to deliver the facility.

Residents, councillors and local health leaders all expressed their frustration over the stalled plans which are seen as desperately needed in an area with pressure on GP services due to rapid housing growth – including the 15,000 homes planned nearby at Ebbsfleet Garden City.