Campaigners have rubbished claims there are hundreds of fewer jobs at a closure-threatened industrial site than thought.

Landowner Peel L&P says its research shows between 350 and 370 people work at Chatham Docks.

This is a big difference to the 800 stated by businesses which oppose the proposed closing down of the site by 2025.

Peel wants to use the land for a development of up to 3,625 homes and commercial space.

It says its numbers prove the employment situation of the docks has been over overstated.

But campaign leader Phil Taylor dismissed the new figures and sticks by the existing totals.

Peel L&P executive director James Whittaker said: "We conducted an employment review to ascertain more accurate job numbers, this has been done via direct tenant conversations, audited accounts and traffic and footfall analysis at the gate.

"It is understood the number of staff is approximately 350 to 370, not the 800 often misquoted.

"We will continue to do everything in our power to support tenants with their relocations to help safeguard these jobs.

“Our plans for Chatham Docks Industrial Estate are focused on meeting the needs of the area across all areas including homes, jobs, connectivity, social and environment.

"More than 2,000 new jobs will be created on the one million square feet of employment space available.

"Early conversations have taken place on potential uses of the space. These include medical and health as well as creative and digital."

He added: "A number of tenants have already exited the docks and found more suitable locations."

However, Mr Taylor says Peel was being "disingenuous" when it claimed a number of tenants had already left the site.

He said the company which had already left, Uplands Engineering, went this year after Peel had not renewed its lease.

A survey carried out with tenants in 2020, showed there were around 800 employees working at the site.

He felt Peel's figures were likely to have been taken from the gate's security team counting people in and out.

He added: "It doesn't account for, for example, I've got people that work for me but actually they don't report into the site every day because they are working remotely. I alone have got just under 200 working for me and I am only one tenant.

"You can be sure if we are all kicked out for this site, because Medway Council wants to put housing (here), it will almost certainly lead to redundancies.

"I can't speak for other businesses but it would definitely lead to redundancies in my business."

He believe there is strong public support in favour of keeping the site operational.

When contacted, Peel L&P confirmed one tenant had already vacated, and a second is due to vacate at the end of this month.

Meanwhile, Save Chatham Docks has found out its bid to have the site registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) had been rejected by the council.

Such designation means if the asset comes up for sale, the interested party – usually a community group – will be given a fair chance to bid for it.

The site, which formed part of the former naval dockyard, remains a commercial dock and is currently protected from redevelopment under the existing Medway Local Plan.