A former cement works is to be transformed with up to 532 new homes in Ebbsfleet Garden City.

The plans, approved last night, will also include a new neighbourhood centre, 46,000 sq m of employment space creating up to 1,500 new jobs, food and drink outlets along the River Thames and a new riverside promenade in Northfleet West.

There will be at least 3.5 hectares of open space including the promenade, parks, school playing pitch that can be used by the community and a multi-use games area.

The plans for the cement works also include a network of pedestrian and cycle routes and a new bridge linking the residential area to Lawn Primary School.

Businesses locating to the area will be eligible for incentives including business rates discounts worth up to £55,000 per year up to 2022.

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation’s planning committee approved the scheme by Northfleet Property on the former Northfleet Cement Works located on the south bank of the River Thames.

The 31 hectare site closed as cement works in 2008.

Further plans are expected this year for more than 600 more homes and a primary school by Keepmoat and for a new commercial scheme with up to 690 jobs in a £35million joint venture between Gravesham Borough Council and the EDC.

Paul Spooner, interim chief executive of the EDC, said: “The transformation of the riverfront in Northfleet is good for housing and good for jobs.

“The River Thames will be opened up for the first time in a century, allowing new and existing communities to walk and cycle in this part of Northfleet and then connect with the rest of Garden City and Ebbsfleet International Station.

“As the development plans progress, more than 2,000 jobs could be created in this area for local people and we will continue to work with private landowners and developers to achieve this.”

A spokesman for Northfleet Property said: “We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Development Corporation to secure the early delivery of this key riverside site within Ebbsfleet Garden City.”

The planning committee also gave approval for Ebbsfleet Garden City’s first pub and hotel.

Marstons is to build the 220-cover pub and 104-bedroom hotel at Ebbsfleet Green to complement Redrow’s 950-home development which is currently under construction.

Ebbsfleet Garden City is one of 30 areas which will spearhead a £1.2billion scheme to see discounted starter homes built for young, first-time buyers

Up to 635 starter homes could be created across the Garden City and could include homes in a newly-created city centre as well as on Northfleet Riverside.

In July a £12million pedestrian and vehicle bridge was approved linking Springhead Park with Ebbsfleet International Station and work is set to start this summer.

A new primary school in Eastern Quarry is currently under construction and will open to pupils in September.