Up to 50 boat owners could be cut off from their craft for two years if developers have their way.

The new owners of the former Klondyke Industrial Estate on the Isle of Sheppey have had the locks changed on the gates which give access to boats moored on the Rushenden side of Queenborough Creek.

The site is due to be demolished to make way for housing.

Boat-owner Trevor Aylott, 64, from Minster bought a 21-foot fishing boat for his retirement but said: “I am now faced with having to move to more expensive mornings, assuming there are spare ones. There is already a huge waiting list.

“There is a barge in the middle of a major renovation and has been completely gutted. How can that be moved?

“There are at least 50 moorings affected.We knew the site was to be developed in the long-term but this change was decided very quickly and was very hush-hush.”

Owners first learned of the switch when they went to check their boats following the cold spell and found new locks on the gates. Spare keys had been cut but not distributed.

An emergency meeting was then convened at the Flying Dutchman pub. Keys have since been issued but boat-owners are under strict orders to keep the gates shut at all times.

Mr Aylott said: “We have temporary access but what happens if there is a fire and the police, fire or ambulance crews can’t get there? It is not unknown for homeless people to try to sleep on board and then start a fire to keep warm.”

Both Mantid Ltd, which operate the moorings, and Sheppey Ltd, which ran the Sheppey Fertilisers factory on the site, hold leases from Homes England.

But when the leases expire at the end this month the land will revert to Homes England which has promised to maintain access only until demolition and decontamination work begins in May.

Swale council's Cllr Cameron Beart (Halfway and Queenborough) said: "I have been working on this for several weeks with the mooring holders to try to seek clarification. There was lots of rumour and speculation floating around and noone was getting any answers.

"At the end of March the lease expires and the land goes back to the landowner Homes England which has said it will maintain access until it has appointed a demolition contractor and works begin around May.

"Sadly, from the time the site is closed until late 2020, the site is expected to be off limits which is a real blow for the mooring holders and Queenborough as a whole.

"You only have to look at the recent devastation at Holyhead Marina to realise what a huge benefit the shelter of Queenborough Creek offers to these boat owners, many of whom own historic vessels which need to be preserved and looked after.

"I will continue to fight to maintain some form of access and have been in contact with the Public Rights of Way officer at Kent County Council to see if we can reopen the ZB48 footpath which runs from First Avenue to the creek gates.

"It doesn't quite reach the creek but if an agreement could be reached it could provide safe pedestrian access to the moorings."

He added: "I really don't want to lose these facilities. I want to see them enhanced and grown as part of the regeneration scheme. But losing what we already have established, even if just for a couple of years, is a backward step in my opinion."