The £14.6 million hub in Inverurie, which would include GP and dental facilities as well as a community maternity unit, could serve more than 20,000 patients from 2018 if the plans are approved.

Designed by Aberdeen architects Mackie Ramsay Taylor, the Inverurie Health and Social Care Hub would be built within the site of Inverurie’s community hospital.

The plans show the building includes 38 consulting rooms, more than 200 car parking spaces and has an estimated floor area of 3,961m2.

NHS Grampian project director Stan Mathieson said: “Inverurie and the surrounding area have grown extremely rapidly over recent years and it is important that we ensure our health care facilities match that growth.

“The proposed facility will do just that by providing modern, specialist care right in the heart of Inverurie for years to come.”

NHS Grampian director of finance Alan Gray added: “The hub is a further demonstration of our commitment to providing first class additional or upgraded facilities throughout the area as part of our vision for NHS Grampian 2020.

“These projects are only a part of that vision and we have a variety of ongoing and planned work that will see us continue to build on this progress in the months and years ahead.”

hub North Scotland will hold a public consultation over the plans at Inverurie’s Acorn Centre on November 19 between 11am and 8pm.