Ambitious plans for part of a new 19-hectare urban park will now take shape on Kent’s largest housing estate after being given the green light.

The ‘Major Urban Park’ initiative forms part of the blueprint for more high quality green and blue spaces at the Whitecliffe development within Ebbsfleet Garden City.

It will include the introduction of a skate park and basketball court, “teen-focused” social spaces, and keep fit gym equipment.

There will also be community and sensory gardens, flat useable grassed areas, and an area for splash water play.

A public consultation took place earlier this year where residents were invited to air their views on what they would like to see included as part of the major green space.

Greenhithe resident Lisa Ayres, who went along to the consultation, said at the time: “I think any outdoor space that can be used for leisure is positive for the area.

“I’ll definitely be making use of it and telling all that I used to play here as a child, when it used to be called the Ecki, although I have no idea why.”

The park will stretch from the Craylands Gorge and Alkerden Barn Area in the north, across the Fastrack bus route, and then to the south where it connects into Castle Hill Lakes.

The green space will also contain several routes suitable for walking and cycling in the hope of better joining up the new build homes at Ebbsfleet with the main railway station, and the existing communities in Dartford and Gravesham.

The landscape design has been influenced by artist Chris Tipping, the man behind the “Margate Steps” close to the famous Turner Gallery.

According to the developers it has been guided by design principles which aim to make green spaces safer for women and girls, as well as ensuring they are accessible for people living with dementia, and additionally for users with different neurodivergent needs such as ADHD and autism.

Eastern Quarry Ltd, part of Henley Camland, put forward plans for 5.57 hectares of the overall 19-hectare urban park, which were given the green light last month by Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, the planning board appointed by the government to speed up deliver of up to 15,000 homes at the garden city development.

Construction is anticipated to commence towards the end of 2025, with the first phases of the major urban park expected to open in 2027.

It comes as long-awaited plans for a new “health hub” and education centre were approved at Whitecliffe.

And at Ebbsfleet Green, another new neighbourhood within the garden development, £13million was set aside to support enhancements in the area, including two new buildings.

Earlier this year, plans to regenerate an area around Ebbsfleet International to create a new “civic heart” for Britain’s newest garden city were approved.

The £200 million proposals, known as Ebbsfleet Central East, will see brownfield land surrounding the station repurposed to create a new city-style centre.

Planning permission was granted by Dartford council 15 years ago for the Eastern Quarry, now known as Whitecliffe, to be developed for a new mixed-use community including 6,250 homes, green space and new leisure, retail and commercial facilities.