Details surrounding the redevelopment of Chislehurst Library can now be revealed, with a new medical centre and purpose-built library proposed for the site.

Developers Prime will join forces with local medical practices the Chislehurst Medical Centre and The Woodlands Practice to revamp the historic building.

“Prime is pleased to hear that it has been selected by Bromley Council as the preferred developer for redeveloping the Chislehurst Library,” a statement shared on behalf of the firm by community advocacy group Visit Chislehurst said.

“We are working with The Woodlands Practice and Chislehurst Medical Practice to provide a new medical centre for the practices to move into as part of their plans to work more collaboratively together.”

“We are very excited to be working with the medical practices and council to bring forward the new library and medical centre, which will see this location on the high street remain in community use for years to come.”

Prime was one of 16 developers vying for control of the site.

Details about the development were largely kept under wraps until a September 2 meeting, when it was suggested a mixed-use proposal – including a new library and potentially new homes – was being viewed for the site.

The idea for new homes on the sites was ditched however in favour of a third medical centre on the high street stretch.

Any future planning proposal would be open for consultation with the community.

Bromley Cllr Peter Morgan, the executive member for renewal, recreation and housing, said the announcement was “very positive news” for the future of the library.

Cllr Morgan said he was “optimistic we will see this move forwards now, even in this difficult pandemic period”.

“We did want to publicly share this welcome news as soon as we could, which will be subject to consultation as part of the planning process which the developer will need to bring forwards,” he said.

“We believe the proposals will be well received by residents and they have shown a lot of interest in the future of the library site which has been the focus of local discussion for a while now,” Chislehurst ward Cllr Suraj Sharma added.