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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.

‘People are in despair over the ever-growing number of HMOs’

16 June 2024
‘People are in despair over the ever-growing number of HMOs’

A change of power at borough council level has yet to bring any relief to a town suffering from an abundance of Houses in Multiple Occupation.

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Police chief gives view on probabtion hostel after damning documentary

14 June 2024
Police chief gives view on probabtion hostel after damning documentary

A police chief has given his assurance that policing is ‘tight’ around a probation hostel that was the subject of a damning Panorama exposé.

2

Plans to build flats on car park in conservation area

14 June 2024
Plans to build flats on car park in conservation area

A four-storey block of flats providing seven apartments could be built on a car park.

Election hustings series to be live-streamed on KentOnline

11 June 2024
Election hustings series to be live-streamed on KentOnline

A series of general election hustings are set to be live-streamed on KentOnline, with candidates across the county vying to win over voters.

4

The Maidstone and Malling constituency and the candidates standing

11 June 2024
The Maidstone and Malling constituency and the candidates standing

We profile the Maidstone and Malling constituency and the candidates vying for your vote on July 4.

4

‘This town may just have the next Banksy’

10 June 2024
‘This town may just have the next Banksy’

Councillors have considered the idea of graffiti walls to curb vandalism, in the hope taggers would then leave other places alone.

Old NatWest bank ‘will not be a mosque’ says new owner

10 June 2024
Old NatWest bank ‘will not be a mosque’ says new owner

The new owner of a former bank has spoken about her plans for the building.

24

Quiz the candidates at hustings chaired by Countryfile and The One Show presenter

10 June 2024
Quiz the candidates at hustings chaired by Countryfile and The One Show presenter

The election candidates in one constituency face a grilling on their climate policies at an event chaired by a BBC wildlife filmmaker and presenter.

3

Petition calls for ‘ineffective’ bail hostel to be shut

09 June 2024
Petition calls for ‘ineffective’ bail hostel to be shut

A petition calling for the closure of a probation hostel has attracted 500 signatures after the disclosure of failings by an undercover reporter.

Freedom of the Parish honour on 80th anniversary of Doodlebug tragedy

07 June 2024
Freedom of the Parish honour on 80th anniversary of Doodlebug tragedy

On the 80th anniversary of the loss of 52 REME personnel in a Doodlebug blast, a village is to mark the occasion with a military parade and service.

‘I no longer feel it’s safe for me’: Former Labour election candidate defects to Greens

07 June 2024
‘I no longer feel it’s safe for me’: Former Labour election candidate defects to Greens

A former councillor who stood for Labour at the last general election says he ‘no longer feels safe’ in the party as a person of colour.

8

‘Labour will win - so you can vote for us’ says Greens

07 June 2024
‘Labour will win - so you can vote for us’ says Greens

The Green Party launches their general election campaign with a swipe at polluted rivers.

5

Driver taken to hospital after M20 crash

06 June 2024
Driver taken to hospital after M20 crash

A driver was taken to hospital after a crash between a car and lorry stopped traffic on the M20 last night.

‘It was an amazing achievement in our history’’

06 June 2024
‘It was an amazing achievement in our history’’

The sacrifices made at the D-Day landings have been remembered 80 years on at a commemoration in Kent.

Drug dealer must pay back £300k or face longer jail term

06 June 2024
Drug dealer must pay back £300k or face longer jail term

A convicted drug dealer is to have his assets seized after supplying cocaine to people around Kent.

1

Firm moves to £4m HQ on former cement works

06 June 2024
Firm moves to £4m HQ on former cement works

A company which specialises in the acoustics of buildings has moved to a new multi-million pound complex on the site of a former cement works.

1

Award-winning online service hits one million users

06 June 2024
Award-winning online service hits one million users

One million people are now using a new digital platform to guide them to key local announcements.

3

Homes and sports hub plan for former golf course

06 June 2024
Homes and sports hub plan for former golf course

A new sports hub is proposed to accommodate football, padel tennis, a golf driving range and a restaurant, along with 100 new homes.

17

Tesco branch plans to sell clothing if extension is allowed

05 June 2024
Tesco branch plans to sell clothing if extension is allowed

Tesco wants to improve customers’ experience by adding two extensions to an existing store - but parking places will be lost.

1

‘The council is just not listening about Sunday parking charges’

05 June 2024
‘The council is just not listening about Sunday parking charges’

Voices were raised and banners were waved in a rally against the introduction of Sunday parking charges.

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