Ebbsfleet United have been given the go ahead by Gravesham Borough Council with their new waterfront stadium and neighbourhood plans.
The Gravesham Borough Council has given the green light to the National League club’s plans to build an 8,000-capacity football stadium and 3,500 homes on brownfield land in Kent.
The development, which spans nearly 50 acres in Northfleet, will involve the demolition of existing buildings, including the club’s current Kuflink Stadium.
Despite receiving 330 letters of support, there were also 61 objections, with some expressing concerns about the loss of a local wharf.
In addition to the stadium and homes, the Northfleet Harbourside project will feature a 300-bedroom hotel, a retail village, sports facilities, cafes, a nursery, medical services, and community venues.
As part of the development, Galley Hill Road and Stonebridge Road will be realigned.
This new stadium will significantly increase the seating capacity of Ebbsfleet United’s current ground, accommodating almost double the number of spectators with a total of 8,000 seats.
CLUB STATEMENT – Green light for Harbourside development!
We are very pleased to announce this evening that Gravesham Borough Council has resolved to grant Planning Permission for Northfleet Harbourside. Ebbsfleet United FC are shareholders in the project which is set to… pic.twitter.com/002WnA6JUv— Ebbsfleet United FC (@EUFCofficial) April 30, 2024
CLUB STATEMENT:
Gravesham Borough Council has resolved to grant planning permission for Northfleet Harbourside, an exciting new waterfront development set to transform a currently under-utilised area in Northfleet.
The circa 50-acre site will deliver new parks and green spaces, alongside a new retail and leisure destination, community facilities and 3,500 much-needed new homes. The highly anticipated development will also secure the long-term future of Ebbsfleet United Football Club by providing a new 8,000-capacity stadium with improved facilities and function space.
Northfleet Harbourside Development Company has been created, backed by a consortium of international investors, to deliver the scheme.
A spokesperson for Northfleet Harbourside Development Company said: “Northfleet Harbourside will be a catalyst for regeneration along this part of the River Thames – putting Northfleet firmly on the map. This is a testament to great partnership working with Gravesham Borough Council over many months. During construction and after completion, the development will bring jobs, create opportunities, and deliver new local services for the community all around Ebbsfleet United Football Club.”
Located by the River Thames and connected with Northfleet’s historic harbour, Northfleet Harbourside will offer 300,000 sq ft of new shops, restaurants, bars, cafés and experiential leisure spaces. There will be a new community retail centre and a circa 300-bed hotel, in addition to 150,000 sq ft of commercial office space. The 3,500 new homes will be a combination of both private and affordable housing.
As a result of the scheme, 3,000 new jobs will be delivered for the local area during and post-construction.
Northfleet Harbourside will offer a new neighbourhood for local people, football fans and visitors to enjoy. There will be new pedestrian and cycle paths, green spaces, children’s play spaces, and medical and sports facilities all within walking distance.
Damian Irvine, Chief Executive Officer at Ebbsfleet United Football Club commented: “Today is a truly significant day in our club’s great history and for the people of Northfleet and Gravesend. The outcome has been the result of many months of hard work and collaboration with Gravesham Borough Council, our development partners and investors. The long-term sustainability of the football club, as well as a positive long-term impact for future generations, has been secured.”
Now outline planning consent has been achieved, Northfleet Harbourside Development Company will begin working with Gravesham Borough Council to develop more detailed plans for each phase of the scheme.
SEE MORE – www.northfleetharbourside.co.uk/ebbsfleet-united-fc/
This is how fans reacted with Ebbsfleet United given the go ahead for their new waterfront stadium plans…
@davemcardle: Good luck to them. Anything sustainable which gets people active and boosts the local economy should be welcome.
@sternejohn: Brilliant news for them and the local area.
@pbcarter7: This looks The business
@daniel_bowie07: Efl bound
@britishkriss: Great news for my local club. 🙌
@JakeW2311: Another club getting a new stadium before rovers
@TheBoroWalk: My lad this morning… “Did you see the new Ebbsfleet stadium? Looks like a toilet seat”.
@harrytalksnl: Huge news! Would love to see how this turns out, plans have been in the works for a while but the green light has been given 👀
@CestrianFanZone: That Looks amazing!
@TheGaryLambert: This looks well bigger than 8,000 capacity at a glance
@PoshBertie: BIG move getting an 8,000 seater stadium when we average 1,600 at your average home game but this is a huge move for my local club 👏😳
@tom7p: This looks superb for the club and the area 👏🏻
@adamhembrow1: Not sure on the fan base, following etc but it does look decent to be fair
@Athleticnewham: Good to see local councils doing things with local football 👍🏻
@OrientBraces: Need to change your name back.
@jack_butler091: Low roof please we need noise to echo
@3RCM1964: @OfficialClarets This is what ambition looks like! 👆
@beespod: Congrats to Ebbsfleet – looks brilliant. Our campaign off the pitch has ended, but the one off it is just getting started. A move home is essential for the long term viability of the club. Over the next at 1-2 decades, NL football will continue to grow and professionalise. We need to be on the same path 🐝
@LRbix: Ffs I hate it when other sides in the league get new stadiums when we are desperate for one just painful to look at
@ReeceNuttall_: very exciting plans but as someone has pointed out, their average is 1.7k – keen to see if they grow into it in the coming years
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