Hundreds of new homes near the site of an historic bear pit that campaigners wanted to see unearthed permanently have been approved as part of a massive waterfront development.

Keepmoat Homes was given approval for 598 new homes including homes and apartments in Northfleet, on the banks of the River Thames.

A new waterfront and children's park on old chalk land will open up that section of the Thames for the first time in a century.

The plans include shops, outline planning permission for a primary school and improvements to the derelict WT Henley building.

Campaigners lobbied for bear pit in Rosherville Pleasure Gardens to remain intact after it was unearthed a few years ago.

Gravesend Futures started a petition to excavate the pit that was once home to a bear named Rosie.

In the 1830s, crowds would gather at the pit at Rosherville Gardens in what was the "Disneyland of the time" to throw food down at Rosie.

Founder of Gravesend Futures, Neege Allen Navarria, said to News Shopper earlier this year: “We want to excavate and reveal the bear pit.

“It is only about three metres under soil and in good condition.

“It would act as a focal point for other heritage assets on the site, such as underground air raid shelters and hermit caves.”

The scheme, approved by bosses at Ebbsfleet Garden City on Monday night, will have a circular open space above the buried pit and may include a bear statue in the future.

In total there will be 149 starter homes, 38 homes for affordable rent and 37 will be shared ownership, which is almost 40 per cent of the development.

Roland Grant, regional managing director of Keepmoat Homes South said: “The Northfleet site is a landmark development for Keepmoat Homes and represents the largest and most significant award in the area, since we expanded the business in to London and the South East in 2014.

“This is an important milestone in ensuring this scheme becomes a reality, and the acquisition and development of Northfleet will meet the clear demand in the region. It is another positive step for Keepmoat Homes’ ambitious growth plans in the Thames Gateway."

This development will be on land known as Northfleet East.

An Ebbsfleet Development Corporation spokesman said: "The development will allow people on average salaries to get their foot on the property ladder through affordable homes and shared ownership and also provide great family homes.

“A series of new walking and cycling routes will link Keepmoat’s development with the rest of Ebbsfleet Garden City, giving residents easy access around the area and to Ebbsfleet International Station.”