Home   Authors   Author

Alan Smith

Alan Smith joined the Kent Messenger as a trainee sub-editor in 1989. In 1998 he switched to a reporting role, chiefly on the Kent Messenger and subsequently on Kent Online.

River quality found to be ‘poor’

24 October 2024
River quality found to be ‘poor’

A national test project has found high levels of phosphates and nitrates in a town’s river and streams.

Burglars cause £1,500 of damage at wildlife reserve

24 October 2024
Burglars cause £1,500 of damage at wildlife reserve

Thieves broke into a visitor centre at a wildlife reserve causing £1,500 worth of damage.

Expanding waste plastic firm unveils new HQ

24 October 2024
Expanding waste plastic firm unveils new HQ

A company that converts waste plastic back into oil is opening a new plant in Kent, bringing 21 jobs to the area.

1

Landowner ordered to pay £100k or go to jail for illegal waste dumping

24 October 2024
Landowner ordered to pay £100k or go to jail for illegal waste dumping

A council hopes that the threat of jail will bring to an end a decade of illegal waste dumping.

6

Troops join Remembrance Sunday parade

23 October 2024
Troops join Remembrance Sunday parade

Motorists are warned to expect delays as a town prepares for Remembrance Sunday events.

‘The pressure is working’ - Quarry decision delayed by six months

23 October 2024
‘The pressure is working’ - Quarry decision delayed by six months

Opponents of a plan to extend a ragstone quarry into an area of Ancient Woodland have been given cause to hope.

2

Landmark pub saved from demolition as junction scheme dropped

23 October 2024
Landmark pub saved from demolition as junction scheme dropped

A pub which has sat empty for five years will no longer need to be demolished, as a council drops plans for a junction revamp.

15

Access agreed for controversial 450 homes plot on farmland

22 October 2024
Access agreed for controversial 450 homes plot on farmland

After nine years and various planning hurdles a plan for hundreds of homes on open farmland has been given the go-ahead - despite 800 objections.

5

Do you fancy being a councillor? Find out how at a Q&A

22 October 2024
Do you fancy being a councillor? Find out how at a Q&A

There will be an information event this week for those interested in standing for election to Kent County Council.

3

‘Parking is bad enough already - we don’t want a HMO in our street’

22 October 2024
‘Parking is bad enough already - we don’t want a HMO in our street’

A borough council has rejected plans to convert a family bungalow into a seven-bedroom HMO after fears were raised about parking.

2

Overwhelming support for new 30mph speed limit on busy A-road

22 October 2024
Overwhelming support for new 30mph speed limit on busy A-road

Residents have voiced their support for reducing the speed limit on a key section of road from 40mph to 30mph.

7

Former furniture store on the market for £400,000

21 October 2024
Former furniture store on the market for £400,000

A distinctive former furniture store is for sale at auction and includes seven self-contained flats.

Supermarket and flats planned for former dance school

21 October 2024
Supermarket and flats planned for former dance school

Plans have been submitted to convert a former dance studio into a retail store and four flats.

2

Vandalised and torched motorbikes found at children’s playground

20 October 2024
Vandalised and torched motorbikes found at children’s playground

Three burnt-out motorbikes discovered near a children’s play area is “the latest in a series of destructive events” in a town.

2

Measures will help protect an extra 200 homes from flooding

20 October 2024
Measures will help protect an extra 200 homes from flooding

The first of three new gates at a flood storage area has been lifted into place by crane.

Military charity gets government backing

20 October 2024
Military charity gets government backing

The Royal British Legion Industries has been given a £1m grant towards more accommodation for veterans in Kent.

1

‘It's 55 years since a man walked on the moon, yet we can't fix a flooded towpath’

20 October 2024
‘It's 55 years since a man walked on the moon, yet we can't fix a flooded towpath’

Walkers, runners and dog owners are getting fed up of splashing through water after more than a year of flooding along a popular towpath.

2

Fears 136 new homes on gas holder site ‘could pollute water supply’

20 October 2024
Fears 136 new homes on gas holder site ‘could pollute water supply’

Plans for 136 homes on the site of two former gas holders have raised concerns over a pollution threat to a town’s water supply.

3

‘It feels like the new sports ground is a done deal’

17 October 2024
‘It feels like the new sports ground is a done deal’

Residents attended a meeting to hear plans to create a football ‘centre of excellence’ but some left unimpressed.

‘Arriva left us stranded - so I sued them’

17 October 2024
‘Arriva left us stranded - so I sued them’

A couple in their 80s took a bus firm to court after they were left waiting in the cold when the vehicle didn’t stop.

60
Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More