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.

First look at designs for 455-home estate

16 September 2024
First look at designs for 455-home estate

Detailed plans have been submitted for 455 homes, a county park and community hall in one of Kent’s fastest-growing villages.

1

Air ambulance called to three-car crash

16 September 2024
Air ambulance called to three-car crash

Several people were injured following a pile-up on a main road.

Woman hurt in crash

16 September 2024
Woman hurt in crash

A woman escaped with minor injuries after a two-car collision this morning.

Former policeman’s anger at insurance firm’s two-year wait to fix ‘£100k’ landslip

16 September 2024
Former policeman’s anger at insurance firm’s two-year wait to fix ‘£100k’ landslip

A householder says he can’t sell his bungalow because an insurance company has failed to sort out damage caused by a neighbour draining a giant pond.

6

Last-ditch attempt to save ‘precious’ land from development

15 September 2024
Last-ditch attempt to save ‘precious’ land from development

Fears of increased traffic and harm to badgers are behind a last-ditch attempt to stop permission being granted for a 52-home estate on an orchard.

2

‘Bitter blow’ as village green bid to stop 435 homes is rejected

15 September 2024
‘Bitter blow’ as village green bid to stop 435 homes is rejected

A three-year battle to have a stretch of disused farmland declared a Village Green has been lost.

18

Aldi eyes up new stores in two Kent towns

14 September 2024
Aldi eyes up new stores in two Kent towns

Discount retailer Aldi is appealing for help to find sites for new stores in two Kent towns.

2

‘Lives are being ruined’: Anger at new layer of flats added to existing block

14 September 2024
‘Lives are being ruined’: Anger at new layer of flats added to existing block

Residents in a block of flats undergoing an upwards extension to add new homes have hit out at the works likened to living on a building site.

4

New roll on, roll off shipping routes linking Kent to Finland

13 September 2024
New roll on, roll off shipping routes linking Kent to Finland

A shipping company is to start a new freight service linking Kent to the Continent.

2

Residents’ survey entrants could win football tickets

12 September 2024
Residents’ survey entrants could win football tickets

A council is offering a free seven-day workout and a chance to win other prizes to anyone who enters its 2024 Residents’ Survey.

2

Grandmother was stabbed in the neck at her home

12 September 2024
Grandmother was stabbed in the neck at her home

An inquest has been opened into the death of a “well-liked and respected” grandmother who was fatally stabbed at her home.

New £2.5m rail maintenance depot opens

11 September 2024
New £2.5m rail maintenance depot opens

A new multi-million pound rail freight industry hub has opened in a bid help improve rail services in the county and across the south east.

'Don’t let parking fee hike kill our trade - I’ll pay your fee'

11 September 2024
'Don’t let parking fee hike kill our trade - I’ll pay your fee'

An enterprising trader is fighting back against a decision to hike parking fees near her business - by refunding customers the cost to park.

4

Villagers vote to adopt neighbourhood plan

11 September 2024
Villagers vote to adopt neighbourhood plan

Around a quarter of residents turned out at polling stations to give a resounding yes to their neighbourhood plan.

‘It’s a win-win’: MP backs free schools project ‘countering the gender imbalance’

11 September 2024
‘It’s a win-win’: MP backs free schools project ‘countering the gender imbalance’

Girls are being encouraged to consider STEM subjects at schools.

2

Ten stall-holders pull out of market over Sunday parking fees

11 September 2024
Ten stall-holders pull out of market over Sunday parking fees

The introduction of Sunday parking charges is ‘threatening the future of farmers’ markets’.

2

Major employer cuts 213 jobs from Kent plant

11 September 2024
Major employer cuts 213 jobs from Kent plant

A multinational company will shut its Kent base after 100 years at the site.

2

School closed and 1,000 homes affected by water outage

11 September 2024
School closed and 1,000 homes affected by water outage

A parent has called for action after water outages cause “repeated” interruptions to his daughter’s education.

1

New use for former NatWest branch

10 September 2024
New use for former NatWest branch

A town has a new church with a very musical, multi-cultural congregation.

4

High Court date confirmed for garden village hearing

10 September 2024
High Court date confirmed for garden village hearing

A tiny hamlet will challenge the government and a borough council in the High Court over plans for a 2,000-home garden village.

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