The presence of potentially vital archaeological remains could force a football club back to the drawing board over plans for a new 8,000-seater stadium.

Bosses at Ebbsfleet United want to secure the club’s long-term future on the pitch alongside a regeneration project in Northfleet paying homage to its industrial surroundings.

But plans could be delayed – or altered altogether – owing to the presence of archaeological remains on-site and concerns over a lack of plan to deal with them properly.

Historic England, the public body which looks after and encourages the preservation of the country’s heritage assets, has notified planning authority Gravesham council of its concerns.

The National League South club submitted plans in October to build a new ground at its home in Stonebridge Road, which is expected to cost £40m.

It has also teamed up with property partners to design a wider blueprint for Northfleet Harbourside, a shopping and leisure development on a brownfield site of about 50 acres.

Up to 3,500 homes are earmarked for the location alongside a new retail “heart” consisting of 225,000sq ft of shops, cafés, medical services, offices, and community venues.

In response to the planning application, Historic England said: “We do not object in principle to the redevelopment, but we do have concerns regarding the potential for impact on the historic environment.

“We consider that there is insufficient evidence to understand and assess the potential impacts of the development on archaeological remains.”

According to Historic England, there could be “deeply buried” and “waterlogged” archaeological remains which date back to the lower Palaeolithic period more than 400,000 years ago.

Many of these early prehistoric sites are not designated, it adds, but the importance of them “cannot be overstated” in understanding the history of the area as well as the development of “critical industries” that were the backbone of construction across the UK.

Also located nearby – to the east of the site – are important archaeological assets, such as Aspdin’s Kiln.

Built in around 1846, the circular bee-hive shaped structure is thought to be the oldest Portland cement kiln in the world and one of few remaining structures which testify to the once thriving cement industry in the area.

In addition to the above-ground kiln, there could also be well-preserved remains of the Robins Creek Cement Works which was present at the site.

Extensive remains have recently been recorded and include several kilns, buildings, tramlines and tunnel networks.

It has recommended further field work be done prior to a decision on the application which is due around May.

Historic England suggested heritage references should be included in the public art proposed for the scheme and a heritage trail.

In 2015, archaeological digs led to the discovery of Mesolithic tools and evidence of a mill.

Another advisory body – Natural England – has also asked for further information to determine the application site’s impact on other local heritage sites.

The site is also near the Swanscombe Skull site where human remains from the Palaeolithic period were found by a dentist.

And next door sits the Swanscombe Peninsula which was last year designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) owing to its rich abundance of plant and wildlife species.

That remains subject to controversial proposals for the £2.5bn London Resort theme park.

The owner of Ebbsfleet United Dr Abdulla Al Humaidi is a financial backer of the project but stepped down from the board last year.

It was confirmed by London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH) in December that a new application will be submitted in 2023.