It was permitted by Swale council to operate at all times, except between 6am on Sundays and 6am Monday.

Since then, two housing estates have been built nearby – Watling Gate, which sits off Mill Way behind a BP petrol station, and Regent Quay in Eurolink Way.

Sweeep chief executive Barry Walker sent the company’s objections to the council last Thursday, saying complaining residents would be “inevitable” if homes are built just 154 metres away.

The dad-of-two explained new homeowners would have the right to take their concerns to a magistrates’ court under Section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 – despite the firm not changing the way it has been operating.

See the bottom of the article for more information on the act

It could also face noise abatement notices from Swale council, with the burden of addressing complaints and fighting legal battles causing it major problems.

Mr Walker wrote: “Bringing residential dwellings as close to us gives rise to a significant and material risk of future residents complaining about noise, which could in turn lead to our business being adversely affected.

“It presents a commercial and potentially existential threat to the long-term operation of Sweeep Kuusakoski.”

KentOnline approached the company for more information, but it declined to comment.

The objection comes ahead of Swale council’s decision on whether to grant planning permission for the creek scheme.

Developer Essential Land wants to build four main apartment blocks – the tallest nine storeys – and townhouses, which will overlook the water.

It is part of the long-running scheme for land belonging the former paper mill site, which was demolished in 2010.

Already, a Morrisons supermarket and 150 homes in Mill Way have been built.

The housebuilder originally bought the site for £5.65 million and lodged the proposals for Lloyd’s Wharf in August 2022.

However, Swale’s planning committee chose to delay its decision in December due to concerns the project would cause further traffic issues in the town centre.

Under the proposals, drivers would have to enter part of the nearby retail park and then use the roundabout off of McDonald’s and then through The Wall, which runs behind KFC.

A new road will also be built within the estate so traffic does not have to use the Mill Skate Park entrance.

Sittingbourne Retail Park director Darren Sherlock said this would create a “traffic conflict” between drivers wanting to visit the outlet and those wanting to get to the Wharf.

The retail park offered the developers a section of its rear service route so a connecting road could be built from Crown Quay Lane instead.

Essential Land’s amended plans will be decided on July 17.

Separately, but nearby, maritime heritage community company Raybel Charters has permission to use Swale council land, which sits in front of the Essential Land development.

The project was set up in 2018 to restore a Thames sailing barge named Raybel, which was launched in 1920 just a few hundred yards from today’s site.

The vessel was brought back to the town in 2020 and, following repairs, it was relaunched during an open day in May.

The group has also drawn up plans for cultural regeneration, with Raybel as the centrepiece of any future project.

Gareth Maeers, co-founder and director of the group, explained the idea was always “more than just the barge” and the group is “very open” to ideas from the council, community and businesses.

He said previously: “The plans for this place are unlimited – we could have a little café, we’ve got a wonderful building which could be a place for exhibitions and art events. It has huge promise.”