More than 120 health professionals and community representatives came together to help develop a vision for health care in Ebbsfleet Garden City.

The development will see 15,000 homes built between Dartford and Gravesham over the next 15 years and is the largest of 10 Healthy New Town pilot sites.

The event looked at the best medical practices from across the UK and around the globe in order to identify ways Ebbsfleet can become a centre of excellence for health with world class facilities.

The sheer scale of the project means health services and the design of homes, parks, cycling and walking routes are crucial.

Eventually, a new model of local care will be developed which, if successful, could be replicated across the country.

Various ideas were mooted at the meeting, including a mixed-use building which could contain a library or gym alongside medical facilities, the incorporation of internal gardens and natural lighting were also discussed.

Representatives from NHS England took part in the event, the Healthy New Town project, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Clinical Commissioning Group and GPs took part in the event.

Kevin McGeough, director of the project, said: “The enthusiasm of delegates will help us shape and deliver a really unique solution to provision of health and well-being facilities at the heart of Ebbsfleet Garden City.

“This is one of the largest public events we have held to date, which highlights how important health and well-being services are to the local communities. We will now work to apply the ideas and suggestions put forward into a credible proposal for a new health and well-being hub to serve the Garden City and surrounding communities.”

Dr Liz Lunt, new model of local care lead at Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Clinical Commissioning Group, said: ‘We have been delighted by the enthusiasm of local GPs and stakeholders to re-think the model of local health and social care and by the focus on wellbeing of the local community.

“We are very excited by the prospect of what can be achieved at Ebbsfleet Garden City and how we can use the lessons learnt to inform delivery across our area.

“This is the start of the journey and we welcome all of the delegates to continue to work with us. A follow up event will be held in Spring to share our early thinking on the proposition for Ebbsfleet Garden City.”