A decision on the fate of the Battle of Britain is due this week, but workers are already on the site conducting groundwork surveys ahead of a planning application.

People had their suspicions raised when on Monday workers arrived on the plot of land, which has been a source of contention for months.

Back in October bulldozers arrived at the pub in Coldharbour Road, Northfleet, and started to tear it down without permission from Gravesham council.

This week, men with a trailer and digger arrived at the site again to carry out more works.

The council had not been made aware of their presence, and there is currently no planning permission for anything in place of the Battle.

The Caldecotte Group is the planning consultancy acting on behalf of site landowners Brakspear brewery and instructed demolition company Putnam Construction Services to demolish the pub.

Caldecotte director Paul Sturgess admitted the illegal tear down was a mistake was due to a miscommunication, and now an asset of community value application put in by the Campaign for Real Ale is being considered by the council.

If the pub is listed as an asset, Brakspear could be forced to have it rebuilt.

The site had been locked up after a spate of fly tipping this month and Caldecotte confirmed they had people on site this week carrying out ground surveys and soil reports.

A council spokeswoman said: "The soil investigation works are being carried out to test the soil conditions of the land. It does not constitute development and does not therefore require planning permission to undertake such testing. We understand the tests and associated report is being undertaken to supplement a forthcoming planning application.

"The asset of community value will be determined on or before Friday."