Plans for a new £13m health centre in Bromley Town have taken a step forward.

Council and NHS bosses have recommended that a site in Masons Hill be redeveloped for a major new health hub.

It is hoped that the proposed Health and Wellbeing Centre will offer services to roughly a third of Bromley’s growing population, along with Beckenham Beacon and a similar centre in Orpington.

At a meeting last week, councillors were told that redeveloping the Bertha James Day Centre was the best option.

A report on the subject read: “The centre will play a major role in providing coordinated care for patients via integrated services and will be one of the three ‘hubs’ underpinning the new Integrated Care Networks, with each ICN serving roughly a third of the Bromley population.”

The day centre would be replaced within the redevelopment.

A planning application for the £12.9m health development expected to be submitted early next year.

Bromley Town councillor Will Harmer said: “We have been campaigning for this new GP provision in the town centre for years – we’re delighted to see that this has now made progress and that a suitable site has been found.

“We look forward to seeing the plans in more detail.”

The centre will offer a primary care access hub and house the relocation of the Dysart Medical Practice, which is currently in a cramped site in Ravensbourne Road.

Ward councillor Michael Rutherford said: “Additional provision of medical services at this location will mean more doctors for town centre residents, but also will reduce pressure on the Princess Royal Hospital in Orpington.

“This new facility will provide Bromley residents with a range of health services on their doorstep they currently have to travel to the PRU for.”

An outline business case for the centre is being prepared and will be submitted to the NHS Executive for approval in November.

It is thought that the new facility could be open by 2020.