Plans for a new football stadium and thousands of homes on brownfield land in Kent have been given the green light by Gravesham Borough Council.

Ebbsfleet United FC’s proposal for an 8,000-capacity stadium and accompanying residential complex comprising 3,500 homes has been approved, signalling a transformative development for the area.

The project entails the demolition of buildings across nearly 50 acres of land in Northfleet, including the club’s current Kuflink Stadium. The plans, which garnered 330 letters of support alongside 61 objections, aim to revitalize the locale while accommodating the need for additional housing.

Among the features of the Northfleet Harbourside development are a 300-bedroom hotel, a “retail village” housing shops and cafes, sports facilities, a nursery, medical services, and community venues. Galley Hill Road and Stonebridge Road will undergo realignment as part of the development scheme.

The proposed stadium nearly doubles the capacity of Ebbsfleet United’s existing ground, currently seating 4,769 people. Damian Irvine, the football club’s chief executive, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “When this project was conceived it was with genuine passion for a project that Gravesham Borough can be proud of.”

The development also involves the relocation of Robin’s Wharf, a move supported by the project stakeholders.

Construction on the stadium is slated to commence in September, with completion expected by August 2026. The entire development project is anticipated to span a decade, ushering in a new era for Ebbsfleet and the surrounding community.