Plans for a Morrisons supermarket and 83 homes have been approved at a former quarry.

The market place proposal, based at Alkerden Village in Ebbsfleet Garden City, also includes a gym, nursery, and neighbourhood green.

It marks the first phase of a new district centre at the village as part of a joint venture by Henley Developments and Erith Contractors.

The new Morrisons is set to provide an estimated 80-107 local jobs, including several managerial roles and 49 full time roles.

The gym and nursery are also anticipated to provide up to 20 jobs.

Warwick Hunter, managing director of development at Henley Developments, said: "It is fantastic to have secured approval for the first phase of the district centre at Alkerden Village.

"The new Morrisons supermarket will provide all residents with a convenient local shop, and alongside the gym, nursery and neighbourhood green will become the heart of the scheme and deliver a sense of place for the local community.

"The 83-affordable homes will provide a range of homes for the community and help local people onto the housing ladder.

"We look forward to commencing construction on site shortly."

Mark Pullin, chief planning officer at Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC), said: "We are pleased to enter an exciting period of development in Ebbsfleet, and look forward to Henley bringing forward this integral site for the growing Ebbsfleet community.

"Extensive consultation has taken place to ensure that the development meets the needs of the local community and we look forward to the facilities providing ample access to green space and a variety of services.’

Henley Investment Management is master developer at the site, partnered with Camland Projects.

Consisting of three villages – Alkerden, Ashmere and Castle Hill –'Henley Camland' will facilitate the delivery of 6,250 homes in total.

Construction of the new district centre is expected to get underway later this year with completion set for early 2025 and the supermarket anticipated to open in the summer 2025.

The Ebbsfleet Garden City project was first announced by then Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne more than a decade ago,

There are plans for the former quarry to eventually host 15,000 new homes. So far 3383 homes have been completed.

It started with the creation of Springhead Park, which saw people move in from 2009.

Work is already underway within the Eastern Quarry where four ‘villages’ are being created: Western Cross, Alkerden, Washmills and Castle Hill.

Alkerden will host a combined school and sports hub which will occupy an 11.1 hectare site – making it one of the largest educational facilities ever to be built in Kent.

There are also further plans for a community building, known as Alkerden Hub, which is proposed to include a library, lifelong learning centre and faith space.

The village is less than 10 minutes from Ebbsfleet International, with direct train links into London St Pancras and Stratford International in less than 20 minutes.

It is also minutes from Bluewater Shopping Centre with a new Fastrack bus service connecting residents to the surrounding area.

Alkerden Market Centre will be brought forward in four parcels, with Weston Homes submitting a reserved matters planning application to EDC for parcels two and three in December.

Both plots propose 412 homes alongside other retail, food and beverage outlets for the public to enjoy.

It is anticipated to go to planning committee later this year.