Plans for a “health campus” including flats, a care home, a nursery and a new GP behind a supermarket have been submitted.

If approved, the “once in a generation” development will be located between Sainsbury's at Westwood Cross, Broadstairs, and Jackey Bakers playing fields in Ramsgate.

The scheme, put forward by Quinn Estates, includes 90 retirement flats, 70 assisted living apartments and an 80-bed care home.

The developer also wants to build a primary medical centre and a children’s nursery.

The Grange - an existing general practice - has been earmarked to move into the facility.

Clague Architects, working on behalf of Quinn, said: “The vision is to combine a range of much-needed health and care uses to complement the wider, emerging community.

“This exemplar scheme presents a unique once-in-a-generation opportunity for the district.”

“It will be a truly extraordinary and sustainable place to work and live that embodies 21st-century life and embraces innovation.”

The primary care facility will be 1,500 sq m spread over two floors.

Developers hope it will “support the growing patient numbers” in the area.

The care home and assisted living flats have been planned due to the “critical” need for elderly housing.

Clague states: “The population is growing so the demand for specialist care facilities will grow over the next 20 years as the over-80s increase in number.

“To meet the needs of an ageing population, authorities need to encourage developments that meet the needs of older people.”

A full, detailed application for the new medical centre is expected to be submitted to the council in the summer.

The Grange says it has outgrown its current space at Montefiore Medical Centre in Ramsgate.

A consultation on the move has now been launched for patients.

Practice manager Julie Hill said: “Our main problem as a surgery is that we have simply run out of space to serve the needs of our patients and ensure we continue to be able to care for an increasing population.

“We are looking to employ more GPs and nurses if we get the new facilities as well as expanding our community clinical team to support housebound patients unable to reach the surgery.

“Patients already on our list would be able to remain on our list if the move goes ahead.

“We warmly invite residents to complete our questionnaire or get in touch by email or in person so that we can assess the views of all members of our community.”

If the scheme – named Westwood Health Campus – goes ahead, all the new facilities will be arranged in six blocks.

The nursery will be to the southwest of the site and will be one storey in height.

It has not yet been decided who will run the facility.

The retirement units will be split into two buildings, each with 45 rooms and both up to three storeys tall.

A new cycle path through the middle of the campus is proposed, as well as 112 parking spaces.

The care home will be built in an ‘H’ shape and its 80 rooms will be across three floors.

Clague added: “The approach will help to create a friendly, safe and pleasant community that people can take pride in and which serves the needs of the local population as well as delivering key benefits associated with the health campus.

“Quinn Estates take great pride in creating developments of the highest standards of design and construction.”

The prospect of a health campus in the area was first put forward in 2016, but delays due to Covid-19 mean outline planning has only been submitted now.

Nearby, the 1,400-home Westwood Village project is currently under construction.

It includes two schools, community facilities and shops.