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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.

Plans revealed for flats near town centre’s Premier Inn

21 May 2025
Plans revealed for flats near town centre’s Premier Inn

A developer wants to build five flats on waste ground near a town centre hotel.

Council leader looks back on first year in office

20 May 2025
Council leader looks back on first year in office

Maidstone council leader Stuart Jeffery has been in post 12 months - he reflects on how it’s gone.

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‘Roadworks are now three months in but we’re enjoying the quiet at night’

20 May 2025
‘Roadworks are now three months in but we’re enjoying the quiet at night’

Roadworks to repair subsidence have moved into a third month but some say there is at least one upside to it all.

Popular pub re-opens after two-month closure

20 May 2025
Popular pub re-opens after two-month closure

A High Street pub closed because of ‘serious disorder’ has re-opened under new management.

Disappointment over ‘lack of detail’ in controversial 5,000-home garden village project

19 May 2025
Disappointment over ‘lack of detail’ in controversial 5,000-home garden village project

People have been learning about plans for a huge garden village scheme but many feel their questions still haven’t been answered.

Row continues over controversial bus gate scheme

19 May 2025
Row continues over controversial bus gate scheme

Residents forced to make long diversions to avoid restricted roads are fuming a review has still left them suffering - and facing fines.

Top vineyard objects to massive solar farm

18 May 2025
Top vineyard objects to massive solar farm

A decision is due on a solar farm that would power 6,000 homes, but which a winery says could threaten its grape production.

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Nine homes in the country planned for over 55s

15 May 2025
Nine homes in the country planned for over 55s

Developers say hedgehogs, bats, birds, bees, reptiles and creepy-crawlies will all be given a home if plans for nine retirement bungalows go ahead.

Six-bed HMO proposed for terraced home

15 May 2025
Six-bed HMO proposed for terraced home

A homeowner has admitted he has been operating an unlicensed HMO “for some time” but is now seeking approval, along with some changes.

Free sessions as new soft play launches this weekend

15 May 2025
Free sessions as new soft play launches this weekend

A new children’s soft play launches this weekend - and the opening day sessions won’t cost you a penny.

Concerns over future of village abattoir as housing plans emerge

14 May 2025
Concerns over future of village abattoir as housing plans emerge

A third plan to develop land to the rear of an Indian restaurant, this time for five homes, has been unveiled but many have concerns.

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Four flats proposed to replace workshop and offices

13 May 2025
Four flats proposed to replace workshop and offices

A vacant commericial unit could be pulled down and replaced with flats.

New hotel plans for historic town centre spot

13 May 2025
New hotel plans for historic town centre spot

Plans have been submitted to create a 36-bedroom hotel on the upper floors of an historic High Street building.

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‘It’s crazy how long this has taken’: Road could soon reopen after three month

13 May 2025
‘It’s crazy how long this has taken’: Road could soon reopen after three month

A junction closed after the road surface subsided could reopen this weekend.

Police custody suite to be closed

11 May 2025
Police custody suite to be closed

An efficiency review by Kent police points to the closure of a town’s custody suite and cells.

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Landlord Fergus Wilson to sell world heavyweight boxing champ’s belt

11 May 2025
Landlord Fergus Wilson to sell world heavyweight boxing champ’s belt

A world heavyweight champion boxer’s belt that was bought by private landlord Fergus Wilson is to go under the hammer at auction.

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Upset over £10k replacement lampposts

10 May 2025
Upset over £10k replacement lampposts

Kent County Council forking out £10k on replacing four lampposts has been questioned by a resident.

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Two charged after power tools taken

09 May 2025
Two charged after power tools taken

Two suspected burglars have been charged and will appear in court after power tools were allegedly stolen.

Woman ‘targeted’ for her jewellery while waiting at bus stop

09 May 2025
Woman ‘targeted’ for her jewellery while waiting at bus stop

Police are investigating an incident in which a man allegedly tried to steal the jewellery of a woman waiting at a bus stop.

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‘It’s heart-wrenching’: Eight families being forced to move as social landlord to sell up

09 May 2025
‘It’s heart-wrenching’: Eight families being forced to move as social landlord to sell up

Eight families have been told to leave their social housing flats as the cost of repairs is uneconomic.

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