The lead contractor on a project at the E.ON power station on the Isle of Grain

says union claims it plans to house foreign workers at the disused army barracks in Chattenden are untrue.

The GMB union claimed to have been told at a meeting on Tuesday that Alstom and its sub-contractors are seeking permission from the Ministry of Defence to use the barracks to house Polish workers due to be brought into the UK to build a new gas-fired plant.

It also claimed that a planning application by Alstom Power Systems to Medway Council for permission to moor an accommodation barge at Damhead Creek to house up to 200 specialist workers employed at the site had been approved.

But Medway Council has confirmed the application has yet to go before a committee for decision.

A statement from Alstom said: "Grain is a remote site which is difficult to access and there are accommodation shortages

"We’re working with our sub contractors to identify the best option for accommodating workers, be they from the UK or overseas.

"There are a number of options, but no decisions have been taken.

"This is common knowledge and is openly available - information was shared with the unions many months ago.

"It is inaccurate to state that Chattenden barracks will be used for accommodation."

Alstom says it is unfair for the GMB to claim it discriminates against British workers.

"At Grain, British workers will carry out two-thirds of the work from start to finish. The claim that we discriminate against British workers is simply not true."

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "At the moment we are considering a range of short term uses for the Chattenden site but no decisions have been made yet.

"What ever decision is made it will be short term though because the buildings are up for disposal."

Construction workers held a protest at the E.ON plant earlier this month over claims two sub-contractors are refusing to consider local labour.