Works have officially started to build a 75-bed care home on the site of an illegally demolished pub.

Contractors did begin initial works on the site, where the former Battle of Britain, in Northfleet, once stood, in April, however, were told to stop as the planning conditions had not been met.

Crews were asked to pause temporarily by Gravesham council officers until all the pre-commencement requirements had been discharged.

This week, eagle-eyed residents noticed that construction had once again begun at the site in Coldharbour Road.

Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox, ward councillor for Coldharbour and Perry Street, told KentOnline that the developers had now met all the planning conditions meaning works could start.

It is understood that it will take 18 months to build the care home and will hopefully be accepting residents in early 2026.

The land has been empty since 2016 when the historic boozer was demolished without permission by the previous owners in what was put down as a "communication error" — a move which angered residents.

It caused further outrage when council officers told the workers to stop, only to be ignored.

In the end, the local authority was forced to allow the complete demolition of the pub because it was structurally unsafe.

It was then earmarked to be turned into 20 homes after plans were approved two years ago but the land was sold before this could come to fruition.

New owners Frontier Estates then submitted plans to Gravesham council to build a 65-bedroom care home in December 2022.

Councillors approved the scheme in June last year stating there was a need for this sort of care in the borough and it would help free up the existing housing supply.

An amended application was then submitted and decided upon in March to increase the number of beds to 75.

The three-storey facility, which will be operated by Morar Living, will be dual registered and provide nursing and residential care on-site.

It will have 27 car parking spaces, cycle storage, an activity room, four dining rooms, a private dining room, three lounges, a family room, a seating area, a hair and beauty salon and staff rooms.