Phil Taylor, former CEO of ArcelorMittal Kent Wire Ltd, said the facility currently supplies around 30% of the UK’s reinforced concrete steel.

This council decision, he said, may force closure of the ArcelorMittal site and have significant impacts on UK construction.

“This resolution to grant consent poses a grave risk to our UK operations and the supply of 30% of reinforced concrete steel products to major UK infrastructure projects.

“In an increasingly unstable global world, the necessity of industrial security makes perfect sense, and a continued presence for us at Chatham Docks secures for the UK a vital construction material,” said Phil.

“The fight isn’t over and we will now be calling on the next secretary of state to do the right thing and call-in this application.”

Though caveating he was not intimately familiar with the planning application, Rico Wojtulewicz - head of policy and market insight at the National Federation of Builders, said: “The warnings from ArcelorMittal need to be taken seriously because while we absolutely need more employment space, they should not be at the cost of key nationally important manufacturing businesses, particularly those supporting coastal communities and with good freight access to the whole of the UK.

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“From a regional and nationally strategic point of view, a discussion appears needed to explore all elements of the case but with government dissolved this might be easier said than done.”

According to Phil, the closure of the Chatham Docks will see over 800 jobs lost and has been critical of Peel Waters - accusing them of having a track record of underinvestment in its assets/failing to meet obligations.

Upon receiving planning permission, James Whittaker, managing director of Peel Waters, said: “Our vision for Basin3 will create a dynamic, employment enterprise destination that integrates with existing communities whilst attracting new employers and business to the area, offering much needed, high-quality, new employment spaces for already established Medway businesses, and bolstering Medway’s economic growth.

“Receiving outline planning permission for Basin3 will help attract significant inward investment into Medway, we look forward to helping build an exciting new future and legacy for this employment site in Medway.”

Peel Waters did not comment further on Phil’s allegations, but highlighted the investment the firm has made in its projects to date.

Peel Waters has invested over £125m into their Chatham Waters scheme, including over £7m of highway improvements, flood defence and land remediation, they have also created 750 new jobs, built 237 affordable homes, another 391 homes for rent and sale, several retail units and The Waterfront University Technical College.