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A new project that will feature an 8,000-seat stadium for English non-League team Ebbsfleet United FC as well as more than 3,000 homes has been given approval by the local authority.
Gravesham Borough Council has resolved to grant planning permission for Northfleet Harbourside, a 50-acre mixed-use development in Kent. As well as the £40m stadium and 3,500 homes, the development will feature parklands and green spaces, a 300-bed hotel and more than 30,000m² of retail and F&B space and 18,000m² of commercial property.
Ebbsfleet, who play in the National League fifth tier of English football, said the development will secure the club’s future in the area and provide stable, self-generating income and revenue towards our ultimate goal of sustainable high-performance. It is anticipated that the stadium at Northfleet Harbourside will require just a two-year construction period.
The capacity of the stadium is almost seven times greater than the club’s average attendance of 1,200 during the 2023-24 season at the 4,800-capacity Kuflink Stadium.
Stadium will be a “catalyst” for the area
Damian Irvine, chief executive at Ebbsfleet United FC, said: “Today is a truly significant day in our club’s great history.
“We set about conceiving a plan and solution that would see our football ground developed to a leading standard that was feasible financially within a wider development, and which also provided regeneration of services and contributed to an overall significant uplift to our local community and Borough, reflecting the council’s own regeneration strategy and legacy plan for future generations.
“It’s a proud and exciting day to receive planning approval from GBC that will be the catalyst for such substantial investment into Gravesham Borough and its communities.”
The granting of outline planning consent will now see each phase of the project proceed to detailed planning stage.
The stadium will feature new conferencing, banqueting and events space. It will also be capable of hosting major cultural, music and community events to generate income for club.
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