Residents say they are not against 50 homes being built at the end of their back gardens – but only if a promised medical centre is too.

Plans have been drawn up to convert the former St Joseph’s Convent Preparatory School, near Echo Square in Gravesend, into six flats.

Property developer Galliard (Gravesend) Ltd also wants to demolish outbuildings to make way for a three-storey medical centre, another apartment block of seven flats and 41 houses on the site in Old Road East.

It proposes to build a variety of two and three-bedroom terrace houses, three-bedroom detached houses plus one and two-bedroom apartments with just under 60 parking spots.

If given the green light, the doctor's surgery would have two waiting rooms, one interview room, 14 consulting rooms, six treatment rooms and 40 parking spaces.

The applicant says the project would help the “significant” housing need and provide a “critical community service” with the new GP surgery if approved.

New vehicle and pedestrian access, a public park and landscaping works have also been submitted as part of the application to Gravesham council.

The fee-paying primary school closed in 2021 and the building has been empty ever since.

In the submitted planning documents, it states the site has been “unused for many years” and despite being marketed “no further education use has come forward”.

The planning statement suggests this means there are adequate alternative provisions and instead highlights the “significant need” for a GP surgery.

It adds: “The proposed development represents a solution to provide such need.”

Residents of Old Road East have welcomed the plans to build a new medical centre, however, many are sceptical and believe it may not come to fruition.

Scott Usher, who has lived in the street for around a decade, said he would like to see a planning condition added to the scheme stating the surgery is built first.

The 46-year-old added: “The medical centre would be really good. We desperately need it but I have no faith the development will not be more than just housing.

“It is a good selling point. If I could have any say on the build, then it would be the first built.”

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, agreed with Scott and believes the doctor’s building could be a “ruse”.

She said: “I am concerned about the medical centre not being built if the developers run out of money. I would like them to build it first.

“If it does get built then brilliant but I think it is a ruse.”

Neighbour Priscilla McBean added: “If we do not get the medical centre, I am totally against it.”

With around 50 new homes planned for the former school building and playing fields, some would think those living nearby would have something to say against it.

However, most residents say they know the area needs more homes. Scott said: “The housing I have not got an issue with as I know it is needed. It is going to have a significant impact but it could be something good.”

Neighbour Carey Ramsay added: “I suppose we need more houses but it seems it will be cramped on the site.”

One resident said questions were asked at a consultation with the planners over the lack of affordable and social housing.

She said: “I do understand the land cannot be left to rot and there needs to be more housing but I am very disappointed it will not be affordable.

“It would give young people a chance to get on the property ladder.”

In the submitted documents, the developer stated that it would not be financially viable to accommodate any cheaper homes.

Traffic concerns were raised by most Old Road East residents who claim the street is already extremely busy and the development could see another 50 vehicles use it a day.

Priscilla, 82, added: “Extra housing and a medical centre will put more pressure on the roads.

“The developers have not taken into account the parking. There is not enough provision for parking for the houses or medical centre.

“By the time the staff have all parked how much parking is there for people going to the medical centre?”

However, in the submitted transport statement, the applicant states it “will not have a significant adverse or severe impact on the operation or safety of the surrounding highway network”.

You can view the plans here or by searching for reference number 20240013 on the council’s planning portal.

To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.

A decision is expected by May 6.