A parish council is objecting to plans for a "super surgery" which would serve 20,000 people after listing a number of problems with the proposals, including how its designed.

Stone Parish Council members met to discuss the planning application for the medical centre in Steele Avenue, Greenhithe, and found a string of holes in the development.

Among those were concerns about parking, the look of the surgery, the travel implications for patients and the possibility of attracting anti-social behaviour.

Spokesman Steven Muzio said: "Members recognise there is a desperate need to expand the provision of medical services within the parish. Residents regularly find it challenging to get an appointment when required, highlighting the need for increased capacity and access to improved facilities that can provide a wider range of services."

However, the council says despite its initial excitement it was unable to support the plans in their current form.

Members are particularly concerned about the travel implications of merging three surgeries into one and say it will mean people travelling further to the doctors and the premises being too far out of reach on foot, especially with the position of steep hills around the site.

According to research from the applicant, 54% of patients currently drive to appointments, compared to 76% who would need to should the surgery be built at this spot.

Mr Muzio added: "In a patient survey carried out by the joint GP practices, 65% of the patients stated that 15 minutes is the maximum travel time they would be willing to make to access a new surgery."

The parish council is also questioning claims the surgery will service new houses being built in the area.

Mr Muzio said: "The application is proposing the development will increase car travel to 76% of patients. This will exacerbate levels of pollution in the air quality management area."

Concerns about the increased demand for parking in the area, which already has parking restrictions, were also raised, with the council claiming the plans do not offer adequate parking.

It questions the idea of undercroft parking, as it fears this will trap exhaust pollution under the building as well as attracting antisocial behaviour.

Members are also unhappy with the look of the building as they feel it isn't "in keeping with the area" and are worried historic plans for the site to be kept as a green buffer space between will be compromised by the erection of the building and the lack of trees in the plans.

If approved, the new "super surgery" would serve 20,000 people in north Kent and replace three "very old" GP practices in Dartford by them under one roof.

To view the plans click here and search for the planning reference 23/00145/FUL.

The Swanscombe and Bean Partnership and the Temple Hill Group are planning to build the new premises for their patients who currently use surgeries at Elmdene, Greenhithe and Ivy Bower.

The mega surgery was dealt a blow in January when it was revealed plans had stalled due to rising costs and "financial challenges", but an official application was submitted a month later.

It would be 1684sqm in size and three storey high and include undercroft parking for a total of 47 cars, five of which would be accessible bays.

The medical hub is seen as being desperately needed in the area which has seen a rapid housing growth in recent years, including the 15,000 homes planned nearby at Ebbsfleet Garden City.