A further 172 homes, a park, an outdoor gym and allotments will be built at a new garden city.

Countryside Properties was given approval for the scheme last night, which forms the final part of its plans for Ebbsfleet Garden City's Springhead Park.

The total the developer will build there now stands at 799 homes.

Springhead Park is now well established with its own children’s park and community centre.

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC), which is overseeing the garden city project, is also building a new bridge which will link the area directly to Ebbsfleet International station, shortening walking times for residents.

Ian Piper, chief executive of EDC, said: “While this latest phase from Countryside complements the existing Springhead Park area it also represents a use of materials and detail which will provide a contemporary and good quality range of two, three and four-bedroom homes for Ebbsfleet Garden City.”

Iain McPherson, regional managing director for Countryside, said: “Given our great success in the community to date, we are looking forward to further establishing Countryside’s offering at Ebbsfleet Garden City, both with the launch of the final phase of the Springhead Park development and our new joint venture in Eastern Quarry.

"Ebbsfleet Garden City already boasts unrivalled transport networks nearby.

"With the new bridge, our residents at Springhead Park can connect even more quickly to the station.”

The bridge will run from Springhead Park to Station Access Road, above the River Ebbsfleet.

The 87-metre long structure will have access for all vehicles across two lanes as well as pedestrian footpaths and a cycle path.

Springhead Bridge will reduce travel times on foot from Springhead Park to the station from 25 minutes to just eight and is set to open in 2020.

Countryside recently announced it would continue its commitment to the garden city with a joint venture with housing group Clarion.

The companies plan to build 2,600 homes at the Eastern Quarry, 5% of which will be available at affordable rent and 20% for shared ownership.