Parts of Sheerness steel mill have been dismantled and removed.

Demolition vehicles, including excavators with hydraulic shear and selector grab attachments, have been seen pulling apart buildings along the western edge of the site, next to Brielle Way.

Peel Land and Property Ltd, which owns the site, says the only demolition work which has taken place was by BOC, the industrial gas company.

A spokesman said: “They have been removing plant and equipment owned by them which,

following the closure of the site two-and-a-half years ago, is no longer used.”

The future of the steel mill is yet to be confirmed and the landowners would not comment

further on whether there have been any developments regarding the use of the site, or if a new occupant is still being sought.

MP Gordon Henderson said it “makes sense” BOC would be removing equipment because it was the firm that used to supply oxygen to the furnace.

He said: “They are probably doing that because they now realise it’s not going to reopen [producing steel].”

He added it is likely it will not be long until other parts of the site will be removed by interested parties.

It had been suggested the site would reopen as a rolling mill using steel imported from the docks, which would not involve actual steel production, but whether this will go ahead remains to be seen.

Earlier this year we reported a legal wrangle over the site’s assets between the landowner, Peel Land and Property, and Thamesteel’s owners, Al Tuwairqicorr Holding Company, had been settled.

It is understood the Saudi firm plans to remove the furnace and other equipment to sell it, with the money raised going towards a £1.25m debt it owes Swale council in unpaid business rates.

In other jobs news, work continues apace with the £50m Aldi regional distribution centre at Neats Court in Queenborough.

The entire site, off Thomsett Way, appears to have been flattened and contractors are now pegging out the area.