The organisation behind a controversial £40 million waterside redevelopment scheme has appointed a host of new directors to its board - which includes a member of the Saudi royal family, KentOnline can exclusively reveal.

Northfleet Harbourside - granted outline planning permission by Gravesham Borough Council in April 2024 - will see 50 acres of land repurposed to create more than 30,000 sq m of shops and food and drink outlets, a 300-bed hotel and a new 8,000-capacity football stadium for Ebbsfleet United.

In addition, it includes 18,000sq m of office space, parklands, car parking and 3,500 new homes.

While a four-week public inquiry into the scheme continues after being called in by the Planning Inspectorate in February, Northfleet Harbourside has unveiled an experienced team to spearhead the scheme.

New board members include His Highness Prince Mansour Al Saud. A board member for a number of Saudi Arabian investment companies, he has for more than 20 years dedicated himself to public service in Saudi Arabia.

He will be joined by a familiar face in the county - Nick Fenton, chief executive of inward investment agency Locate in Kent. His new role will see him continue with Locate in Kent, while he is also chairman of the Kent Developers Group, Kent Housing and Development Group and the South-East Housing and Development Group.

The pair will be joined by Gary Fielding - chairman of Vital Energi, one of the country’s largest energy companies.

They join existing board members Damian Irvine - CEO of Ebbsfleet United - and Kuwaiti Khaled Al Khamis as board directors and shareholders.

Damian Irvine said: “We’re delighted to welcome world-class board directors to a truly global project with strong local roots.

“This project has the support of Gravesham Borough Council, the community and the fans and we look forward to delivering it and creating thousands of local jobs.”

The project says it will create some 3,000 jobs for the area.

It is not without its critics, however.

There have been concerns voiced over the uncertainty it brings to existing businesses on the site - with a letter submitted last summer. backed by the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce - calling for the scheme to be called in.

The chamber’s CEO, Tudor Price, said at the time: “We believe the council has failed to safeguard the protected wharf which is the lifeblood of many local businesses, especially those involved in creating building and road materials.

“Should the land be compulsorily purchased, most of the businesses would find it impossible to find alternative premises in the local area. It would lead to their closure and the loss of hundreds of important manufacturing jobs for local residents.

“Developing new homes, shops and offices in such close proximity to heavy industry operating 24/7 with their noise, dust and smells do not make good bedfellows. The result is inevitably conflict with the new residents trying to impose their will on longstanding industrial businesses.”