Plans to put controversial oyster racks on a famous strip of shingle have been adamantly denied by bosses.

Speculation online suggested the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company were planning to erect racks on The Street.

The rumours circulated after it was discovered the Fishery had objected Natural England’s plans to register the iconic land under a new coastal access legislation.

A spokesman said: “The Oyster Company has objected to the proposal by Natural England to register some of the Company’s land as spreading room under the Marine Coastal Access Act 2009.

“This is to protect our existing rights on the foreshore and does not indicate any expansion of oyster production to the east of the harbour including The Street.

“There has never been any intention to expand oyster production onto The Street by The Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company nor will there be in the future.”

The Street is a unique stretch of shingle, popular with walkers and tourists, which extends into the sea. On Tripadvisor, it is ranked eighth on the top attractions in Whitstable.

The apparent plans were slated on Facebook as being “truly unbelievable” and “an anti-social idea”.