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Daniel Esson, Local Democracy Reporter

Daniel Esson joined the KM Group in September 2022 as a Local Democracy Reporter, covering second-tier local authorities.

‘Desperate’ rough sleepers pitch tents inches from dual carriageway

24 July 2024
‘Desperate’ rough sleepers pitch tents inches from dual carriageway

Worrying pictures show rough sleepers’ tents perilously pitched just inches from a busy dual carriageway.

We meet new MP on frontline of Kent’s small boats crisis

24 July 2024
We meet new MP on frontline of Kent’s small boats crisis

We sit down with the new MP on the frontline of Kent’s small boats crisis.

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Flat owners face £40k bill as council tower block refurb cost doubles

24 July 2024
Flat owners face £40k bill as council tower block refurb cost doubles

Leaseholders of flats in five run-down tower blocks are facing a bombshell bill of up to £40,000 each towards the refurbishment of the buildings.

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‘They’ll just plonk 300 boxes down’

20 July 2024
‘They’ll just plonk 300 boxes down’

Plans for 298 homes have been approved despite concerns over a lack of infrastructure to support them.

30

‘It’s environmental vandalism’: Electrical converter station could be even bigger

16 July 2024
‘It’s environmental vandalism’: Electrical converter station could be even bigger

Controversial plans to boost the size of a massive electrical station on the cusp of protected land have been branded “environmental vandalism”.

4

Solar farm snub to cost taxpayers dear as council loses appeal

15 July 2024
Solar farm snub to cost taxpayers dear as council loses appeal

A council’s decision to snub proposals for the UK’s biggest solar farm will cost taxpayers “wasted expense,” the government says.

29

Council’s bid for social housing on site of ‘dilapidated’ garages

11 July 2024
Council’s bid for social housing on site of ‘dilapidated’ garages

A local authority has submitted plans for 11 affordable homes in place of a “dilapidated” row of garages.

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What new government could mean for huge housing projects planned on Kent's green belt

10 July 2024
What new government could mean for huge housing projects planned on Kent's green belt

Labour want to see homes built on the ‘grey belt’, as well as more onshore wind farms. So what could it mean for the ‘Garden of England’?

115

‘This isn’t a strip club’: Private members’ club addresses ‘constant disruption’ fears

05 July 2024
‘This isn’t a strip club’: Private members’ club addresses ‘constant disruption’ fears

A private members’ club set to open in the coming weeks has denied it will be a “late night party house” after winning approval to expand its hours.

Labour overturn huge Tory majority to secure seat

04 July 2024
Labour overturn huge Tory majority to secure seat

Labour have taken the coastal constituency of Dover and Deal with a majority of over 7,000 votes.

Bid to block £32m project to create 'England's sparkling wine capital' defeated

04 July 2024
Bid to block £32m project to create 'England's sparkling wine capital' defeated

Winemakers Chapel Down have secured a win at High Court, after campaigners’ attempt to curtail an ambitious project was thwarted.

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‘I’ll do all in my power’ - but what say do MPs have over development?

03 July 2024
‘I’ll do all in my power’ - but what say do MPs have over development?

A parliamentary hopeful has pledged to do ‘all in his power’ to stop controversial developments if elected but what is an MP’s role in local housing?

7

‘Royal Mail has deprived me of my right to vote’

03 July 2024
‘Royal Mail has deprived me of my right to vote’

A furious voter has blamed Royal Mail for “depriving” him of his voice in the general election after his postal ballot failed to arrive.

39

Farage bids to replace derelict house with swanky new-build on Kent coast

02 July 2024
Farage bids to replace derelict house with swanky new-build on Kent coast

Nigel Farage has submitted plans to knock down a derelict house on the Kent coast and replace it with a three-storey new-build.

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New super medical campus approved

01 July 2024
New super medical campus approved

A new medical campus has been given the go-ahead by councillors, with hopes the facilities will help reduce waiting times across the district.

3

Latest predictions for every Kent seat as Reform gains on Tories

28 June 2024
Latest predictions for every Kent seat as Reform gains on Tories

A new poll suggests the Conservatives will hold on in some key Kent electoral battlegrounds - but the party is still set for major losses.

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Prison could expand by more than 50% to meet demand

28 June 2024
Prison could expand by more than 50% to meet demand

Official plans have been lodged to expand one of Kent’s prisons so it can house hundreds more inmates.

7

‘Lost’ lorry crashes picnic party next to children’s play area

27 June 2024
‘Lost’ lorry crashes picnic party next to children’s play area

Shocking footage has emerged showing the moment a large HGV reversed into a fence after getting stuck in a park next to a children’s play area.

11

‘We’ve got a lot to do before we die’ - Nuns get plan for HMO approved

23 June 2024
‘We’ve got a lot to do before we die’ - Nuns get plan for HMO approved

A hostel used to house homeless people is to be converted after the nuns running the charity behind it look to sell it.

2

‘It may have been civilised and heckling minimal - but there was one thing missing’

21 June 2024
‘It may have been civilised and heckling minimal - but there was one thing missing’

While many were crowded around watching the England game, our reporter was at a general election hustings event where politics was the hot topic…

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