Ebbsfleet Central is designed to provide jobs, homes, community and cultural facilities in garden city.

Ebbsfleet development Corporation was established in 2015 with the aim of creating a new center with a commercial focus around Ebbsfleet International. The Corporation said its acquisition of the 125ha site means it can take control and unlock the site in order to deliver full potential to garden city.

Michael Cassidy, Chairman of Ebbsfleet development Corporation, said: “This is the most exciting project to happen in Ebbsfleet Garden City to date and we are committed to creating a centre that is dynamic and creates economic opportunities that will benefit people for years to come.

“We will now be talking to developers and investors to maximise the huge potential Ebbsfleet Central will bring to everyone.”

The Corporation’s vision is for the area to become a magnet for new business, education, research and development as well as leisure and recreation.

Ebbsfleet Central will be an urban hub with a commercial core supported by homes, community and cultural facilities designed to serve the Ebbsfleet Garden City area and beyond.

Housing Minister Esther McVey said: “Projects such as Ebbsfleet Central have a key role in ensuring we deliver homes to this country’s needs while protecting the countryside. The development will make the most of brownfield land and contribute greatly to the delivery of 15,000 quality new homes for families within the garden city, at least 30% of which will be affordable.

“However, it is not easy enough to build new homes, we must ensure we build proud communities with a sense of place. That’s why events like this are so important, providing accommodations and homes for families in a thriving new urban center at the center of the community.”

The Corporation bought the land from EIGP, which is a joint venture consisting of Landsec and Ebbsfleet Property.

Ian Piper, chief Executive of Ebbsfleet development Corporation said: “Investors will see huge potential in what Ebbsfleet Central will bring, for the local economy and for local jobs. Although it has taken years to reach this point with the land untouched by development, Ebbsfleet Central will be the beating heart of Ebbsfleet Garden City and is an exciting opportunity for new communities already formed here as well as new ones to be created .”

There are currently over 1,700 homes in Ebbsfleet Garden City with an estimated 4,000 residents. Up to 15,000 homes will eventually be created. It already has its first primary school in castle hill, a second is under construction in Springhead Park and a third is under development for Ebbsfleet green along with plans for a major secondary school in Whitecliff. A supermarket has opened with another being built in what will be the first village centre in castle hill. A new hotel and pub is also planned in the centre of the village in addition to the pubis by the hotel which opened in 2017 in Ebbsfleet green.