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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.

Near-complete ancient human skeleton found at development site

18 January 2025
Near-complete ancient human skeleton found at development site

The skeleton of a woman in her early thirties who lived during the Bronze Age was unearthed ahead of the contruction of a housing estate.

7

Major leisure centre revamp and adventure golf gets green light

17 January 2025
Major leisure centre revamp and adventure golf gets green light

A huge revamp of a leisure complex which is part of a multi-million-pound regeneration project has been approved.

1

Rat droppings uncovered at B&M where pests ‘chew through warehouse stock’

17 January 2025
Rat droppings uncovered at B&M where pests ‘chew through warehouse stock’

A discount shop has been hit with a one-star food hygiene rating after inspectors found evidence of rats and pallets of food left outside for weeks.

3

Two defections push Labour into minority control of a Kent council

16 January 2025
Two defections push Labour into minority control of a Kent council

A ruling Labour Party has suddenly shrunk to a minority on a Kent council after members defected within a week.

9

Huge bike factory gets green light - but work won’t start for two years

16 January 2025
Huge bike factory gets green light - but work won’t start for two years

Plans for a huge bike factory promising 2,500 jobs have been approved - but work is not scheduled to start for two years.

Town's only swimming pool to shut for two-year refurb

14 January 2025
Town's only swimming pool to shut for two-year refurb

A popular swimming pool set for a £20 million renovation project will shut within months and not reopen for years, it has emerged.

4

Plans to demolish buildings at hugely popular roadside cafe get green light

14 January 2025
Plans to demolish buildings at hugely popular roadside cafe get green light

Plans to flatten and replace eyesore buildings next to one of Kent’s most popular roadside cafes have been given the green light.

2

Bluewater zipwire operators look to open new kitchen

11 January 2025
Bluewater zipwire operators look to open new kitchen

An activity centre with a zipwire, skydive experience, aerial trek course and cold water swimming wants to start serving hot food.

1

Future of vital sports club in doubt after government rejects 'back of fag packet' bid

11 January 2025
Future of vital sports club in doubt after government rejects 'back of fag packet' bid

A closed sports centre described as the “heart of the community” faces an uncertain future after a funding bid was rejected in a scathing takedown.

9

Plans for artist’s quirky new home delayed because not enough posters put up

08 January 2025
Plans for artist’s quirky new home delayed because not enough posters put up

A Kent artist’s plans for a controversial seaside home have been delayed as not enough notices were put up advertising the application.

Long-awaited £20m leisure centre revamp could start next year

07 January 2025
Long-awaited £20m leisure centre revamp could start next year

A leisure centre’s long-awaited £20m revamp including a six lane pool is set to commence next year.

3

'I haven't got time to run a cult' - the former revolutionary in Kent you've never heard of

30 December 2024
'I haven't got time to run a cult' - the former revolutionary in Kent you've never heard of

We sit down to hear about the life and times of a man described as a cult leader, an attack dog for a foreign government and a contrarian.

19

‘Fantastic improvement’ as car park to be converted into flats

23 December 2024
‘Fantastic improvement’ as car park to be converted into flats

A car park and former bomb site set for conversion into flats has been labelled a “fantastic improvement”.

1

Government looking to act after food ratings investigation shock

23 December 2024
Government looking to act after food ratings investigation shock

An MP is calling for law change on food hygiene rating displays after an investigation by KentOnline and the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

10

Plans to convert care home into 21-bedroom HMO refused

19 December 2024
Plans to convert care home into 21-bedroom HMO refused

Plans to convert a care home into a 21-bedroom HMO have been rejected due to concerns it would cause “chaos” on the roads.

2

Controversial plans for traffic restrictions scrapped after survey

18 December 2024
Controversial plans for traffic restrictions scrapped after survey

‘Ridiculous’ proposals to bring in one-way streets and to close some roads to traffic in one Kent town have been dropped after public opposition.

Greens pull out of council coalition over Labour’s housing policy

17 December 2024
Greens pull out of council coalition over Labour’s housing policy

Councillors have walked away from a ruling coalition over fears the government is putting “profit before people and the planet”.

11

Rugby club could be on move as grounds earmarked for homes

16 December 2024
Rugby club could be on move as grounds earmarked for homes

Proposals to relocate a rugby club as part of a scheme to build more than 350 homes has been met with huge opposition.

6

Hundreds of thousands in Kent haven’t paid council tax - what happens when you don’t stump up the cash?

15 December 2024
Hundreds of thousands in Kent haven’t paid council tax - what happens when you don’t stump up the cash?

With hundreds of thousands of residents having not paid council tax we look at how serious the consequences can be.

40

13k new homes a year needed in Kent - as districts with biggest targets revealed

14 December 2024
13k new homes a year needed in Kent - as districts with biggest targets revealed

More than 13,000 homes need to be built in Kent every year under new government targets - including some on areas of the green belt.

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