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New 8,000-seater Ebbsfleet United stadium to cost £40m as part of £1.32bn Northfleet harbourside redevelopment

The estimated cost of constructing a new 8,000-seater stadium at the heart of a huge waterfront leisure and shopping development has been revealed.

Ebbsfleet United has submitted plans to create a new multi-purpose ground with improved facilities on the site of its existing home on Stonebridge Road.

A new CGI of how the new Ebbsfleet United waterfront stadium might look. Photo: Gravesham planning portal/ Landmarque Property Group (60800769)
A new CGI of how the new Ebbsfleet United waterfront stadium might look. Photo: Gravesham planning portal/ Landmarque Property Group (60800769)

As part of the proposals, the National League South outfit has also teamed up with the Irish-based Landmarque Property Group to create a blueprint for Northfleet Harbourside, a new shopping and leisure destination.

It will cover a brownfield site of around 50 acres and feature a new retail village consisting of 225,000 sq ft of shops, cafés, medical services, offices, new homes and community venues.

This is proposed to sit alongside a 300-bed hotel, 3,500 homes and 180,000 sq ft of commercial office space.

Developers say the redevelopment will provide a real boost to the local economy with up 3,000 new jobs in the retail, leisure and service sectors, including apprenticeships during construction and end use employment opportunities.

Plans were officially submitted to Gravesham council last month following two rounds of consultation running from July to September.

Plans feature a new retail village features a new retail village consisting of 225,000 sq ft of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. Photo: Northfleet Harbourside
Plans feature a new retail village features a new retail village consisting of 225,000 sq ft of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. Photo: Northfleet Harbourside
Factored into the scheme are 'green zones' including parkland and children's play areas.. Photo: Northfleet Harbourside
Factored into the scheme are 'green zones' including parkland and children's play areas.. Photo: Northfleet Harbourside

Since then further documents have been added to the planning portal revealing the draft costs involved and an estimated completion date of September 2031.

According to a financial viability statement submitted as part of the outline plan, the new Ebbsfleet United FC stadium would cost £40 million to build.

The proposed development assumes a total capacity of 8,000 seats which would work out at £5,000 per seat. The existing capacity of the current ground, known commercially as the Kuflink stadium, is 4,769.

If given the green light, construction of the stadium is anticipated to last just under two years – 93 weeks – between September 2024 and August 2026.

But the figures involved in building the stadium pale into insignificance when compared with the eye-watering £1.32bn total projected to deliver the entire two-phase scheme, which also includes a market place, boulevard, harbourside and parklands.

According to the applicant’s quantity surveyor, Linesight, the cost plan provides a total of £84.3 million for demolition and infrastructure works alone.

An aerial view of the proposals where thousands of homes are also planned. Photo: Northfleet Harbourside
An aerial view of the proposals where thousands of homes are also planned. Photo: Northfleet Harbourside

All costs are up-front but exclude the delivery of a new road network included within the masterplan document that is required before the project can get off the ground.

Also factored into the financial blueprint is £32.1 million to be set aside for landscaping, wharf improvement works and the creation of a recreational park.

Such "pre-commencement" works must be complete before the developer can construct the first of thousands of new homes on-site.

The surrounding areas of Northfleet are set to undergo a major transformation as part of the Ebbsfleet Garden City regeneration.

First announced by then Chancellor George Osborne in 2015, the landmark housebuilding project aims to deliver 15,000 new homes and up to 32,000 new jobs by 2035, built on the former chalk quarries and industrial land surrounding the site.

Of the additional 3,500 homes being delivered as part of this Harbourside scheme, 30% is expected to be designated as "affordable housing".

The Kuflink stadium in Stonebridge Road is where Ebbsfleet United play their home games. Photo: Northfleet Harbourside
The Kuflink stadium in Stonebridge Road is where Ebbsfleet United play their home games. Photo: Northfleet Harbourside
Ebbsfleet United chief exec Damian Irvine says the plans are crucial to the future of the club. Picture: ebbsfleetunited.co.uk
Ebbsfleet United chief exec Damian Irvine says the plans are crucial to the future of the club. Picture: ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

Commercial space is also to be provided across all of the proposed plots including units catering for a range of retail, food and beverage, medical, nursery, and office uses.

Office blocks are projected to cost £54 million, while a 3-star Radisson Blu style hotel with 300 rooms is costed at £30 million.

Speaking when the plans were first announced, Fleet chief executive Damian Irvine says the scheme is vital step towards securing the club's long-term future both on and off the pitch.

Key concerns for supporters related to the identity of the club, ground sharing arrangements during the build phase, navigating land rights with local landowners affected and the long term sustainability of the plans.

If approved, works could start as early as October next year with a final completion date estimated for September 2031.

A CGI showing the different districts proposed. Photo: Northfleet Harbourside
A CGI showing the different districts proposed. Photo: Northfleet Harbourside

The initial build phase for the stadium would see the club ground-share away from home for the first two years with additional phases taking place over an eight-year timespan.

Construction of the stadium is expected to last 93 weeks from September 2024 until August 2026.

A second build phase, consisting of the surrounding Harbourside development is then scheduled to start in March 2028 and last until September 2031.

Such improvements to the local infrastructure and road structure could align with proposals to extend The Elizabeth rail line into Kent via Northfleet and Ebbsfleet stations.

Bosses say they do not currently form part of the plans and the application relates to land outside the limits of land subject to consultation by Crossrail.

The plans are set to go before Gravesend council with a decision due to be taken around May next year.

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