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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.

Office building earmarked for 10-bed HMO

18 April 2025
Office building earmarked for 10-bed HMO

Plans to tighten rules on HMOs have sparked a surge of applications before new regulations come into force.

‘Naive’ armed officer keeps job after sending explicit pictures and sharing police documents

18 April 2025
‘Naive’ armed officer keeps job after sending explicit pictures and sharing police documents

An armed police officer kept his job after sharing police documents on WhatsApp and sending an explicit picture while in uniform.

24

Investigation after fire engine involved in crash on emergency call-out

17 April 2025
Investigation after fire engine involved in crash on emergency call-out

Two people were injured in a crash involving a fire engine responding to a 999 call on a busy A-road.

Emergency gas works causing delays on busy main route

16 April 2025
Emergency gas works causing delays on busy main route

Traffic is being impacted on a key road artery in and out of a town this evening by a lane closure and temporary traffic lights.

1

Charity eyes ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to purchase and ‘rewild’ farmland

16 April 2025
Charity eyes ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to purchase and ‘rewild’ farmland

A conservation charity needs to raise £500,000 to buy farmland it wants to “rewild” for future generations.

2

New children’s nursery to help meet demand for all-year-round care

14 April 2025
New children’s nursery to help meet demand for all-year-round care

A new nursery will provide all-year-round care for working parents to help meet demand as more homes are built.

Town centre spot earmarked for 10-bed HMO

14 April 2025
Town centre spot earmarked for 10-bed HMO

A developer proposes to build a four-storey 10-bed HMO site on a yard where the only access is via a narrow pedestrian alleyway.

10

Nightclub to re-open as school for children with special needs

13 April 2025
Nightclub to re-open as school for children with special needs

A former cabaret hotspot is to become a school for SEN children.

4

Curry house car park could be carved up for new cul-de-sac

12 April 2025
Curry house car park could be carved up for new cul-de-sac

A developer has submitted a new housing plan for a site round the back of an Indian restaurant.

Celebrations as councillors refuse orchard homes plan

09 April 2025
Celebrations as councillors refuse orchard homes plan

Champagne corks are popping as a village defeats an unwelcome planning application for the third time.

10

Farmers market saved after council u-turn

09 April 2025
Farmers market saved after council u-turn

A treasured farmers market has been saved following a council U-turn on parking.

Neighbours’ anger at farm’s plan for 55 acres of polytunnels for strawberries

08 April 2025
Neighbours’ anger at farm’s plan for 55 acres of polytunnels for strawberries

Two new applications for polytunnel sites on a farm will be a blot on the landscape, say neighbours.

5

Councillor admits going over 30mph limit during debate on speed camera

07 April 2025
Councillor admits going over 30mph limit during debate on speed camera

A councillor has been told his driving was “irresponsible, dangerous and illegal”, after he admitted speeding in 30mph zones.

6

Tree fire and roadworks cause chaos on busy route

07 April 2025
Tree fire and roadworks cause chaos on busy route

A tree on fire and roadworks combined to bring traffic to a halt on a key artery this morning.

‘Another day, another diversion’: Dismay as additional road closure ordered to fix ‘large void’

07 April 2025
‘Another day, another diversion’: Dismay as additional road closure ordered to fix ‘large void’

The sight of workmen at an already closed road junction delighted residents this morning - only for them to learn it’s for an additional road closure.

New leisure centre could cost £23m, as location agreed

06 April 2025
New leisure centre could cost £23m, as location agreed

A council will have to borrow to meet the ‘eye-watering’ cost of a new leisure centre.

3

‘We’ve been married 70 years and seldom had a cross word’

06 April 2025
‘We’ve been married 70 years and seldom had a cross word’

A couple in their nineties are celebrating their Platinum wedding anniversary after 70 years of happy marriage.

Fire crews tackle big blaze at farm

06 April 2025
Fire crews tackle big blaze at farm

A fire in an agricultural building sparked a massive emergency response.

Six-mile tailbacks at Dartford Tunnel after roadworks overrun

06 April 2025
Six-mile tailbacks at Dartford Tunnel after roadworks overrun

Drivers are suffered huge delays today after part of the Dartford Tunnel closed due to overrunning roadworks.

1

Two charged with attempted murder after stabbing

06 April 2025
Two charged with attempted murder after stabbing

Two men have been charged with attempted murder following a stabbing in quiet cul-de-sac.

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