Rumours that work started on football fields is in preparation for a housing development have been quashed.

Eagle-eyed residents would have seen diggers on-site at Springhead Recreation Ground, in Northfleet, this week clearing the land.

However, fears the works were to prepare the green space for new homes have quickly been shut down by Gravesham council.

The local authority has confirmed the work taking place is actually to reprofile the football pitches which are regularly used by nearby teams.

It involves removing vegetation, topsoil and stones, grading the surface and then applying the sand dressing, new topsoil, grass seed and fertiliser.

Following a site inspection in June 2019 by the Grounds Management Association, it was recommended that the second pitch should be levelled off as it was on a slope.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic delaye progress as the underground utility mapping and topography studies could not be undertaken when planned.

The contract for the scheme was then awarded in November 2023 and works started this week and are hoped to be completed by the first week of September.

The pitch will then need several months for the new grass to grow and will be ready to play in March.

Teams that use the site have found alternative arrangements in the meantime.

The project is being funded by Section 106 payments from the building of the neighbouring police station which was completed in 2008.

Despite being finished 16 years ago, the council only received the money in early 2018 due to unknown delays.

The agreement was for £150,000 which would be used to improve the pitches and changing facilities at Springhead Park.

The pitch works are set to cost £115,000 with the remaining funding being used to improve the changing rooms.