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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.

'Tories say our tower block looks like a run-down building in Croydon'

28 May 2024
'Tories say our tower block looks like a run-down building in Croydon'

Residents of an iconic Kent building have been left “insulted” after an election leaflet elsewhere in the country used it to represent Croydon.

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96-home estate sent back to drawing board amid flooding fears

28 May 2024
96-home estate sent back to drawing board amid flooding fears

Plans for new homes are to be looked at again following fears over flooding and claims infrastructure is ‘pushed to the limit’ in the area.

Inflatable ‘aqua park’ proposals resurface at shopping mall as leisure giant eyes expansion

26 May 2024
Inflatable ‘aqua park’ proposals resurface at shopping mall as leisure giant eyes expansion

Plans have been submitted for a seasonal aqua park and an observation deck for “cold water swimming” and yoga at Kent’s largest shopping centre.

70 more homes approved for huge development

22 May 2024
70 more homes approved for huge development

A large estate is set to swell to 400 houses after a 70-home extension and community hall plan was approved.

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'We're not NIMBYs!' New housebuilding figures for every part of Kent revealed

22 May 2024
'We're not NIMBYs!' New housebuilding figures for every part of Kent revealed

Residents are sometimes accused of being “NIMBYs” when it comes to building new homes - but can the term be applied to some councils too?

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‘A parking permit for the high street? It’s ridiculous!’

21 May 2024
‘A parking permit for the high street? It’s ridiculous!’

Traders have declared victory as a council is set to scrap “ridiculous” proposals for new high street parking restrictions after a huge backlash.

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Developers’ plan to remove affordable housing from scheme rejected

20 May 2024
Developers’ plan to remove affordable housing from scheme rejected

A bid to remove affordable housing from plans for two blocks of flats has been rejected by the council.

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UK’s first school skate park planned in Kent town

16 May 2024
UK’s first school skate park planned in Kent town

A secondary school has applied to build a skate park on its grounds to promote the growing sport and hopes of nurturing a future world champion.

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Michelin-guide restaurant reverses low hygiene score

15 May 2024
Michelin-guide restaurant reverses low hygiene score

A fine dining restaurant with celebs among its clientele has been reinspected following a shock one-star hygiene rating.

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‘Disappointing’ plans to replace prominent office block with ‘stale’ homes

15 May 2024
‘Disappointing’ plans to replace prominent office block with ‘stale’ homes

Plans have been put forward to redevelop a disused brutalist office block - but opponents have criticised the design and lack of affordable homes.

MP pulls bid to build house in prime coastal spot after controversial defection

15 May 2024
MP pulls bid to build house in prime coastal spot after controversial defection

Natalie Elphicke is withdrawing her bid to convert a garage into a new house following her controversial defection to Labour, KentOnline can reveal.

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Kent’s most expensive car parks revealed as councils cash in

11 May 2024
Kent’s most expensive car parks revealed as councils cash in

Almost every Kent council hiked parking charges in their latest budgets - but where will you pay the most to leave your car for an hour?

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Michelin-guide restaurant to the stars ‘confident’ they can fix low food hygiene score

09 May 2024
Michelin-guide restaurant to the stars ‘confident’ they can fix low food hygiene score

A fine dining venue popular among its celebrity clientele has vowed to improve after being hit with the second lowest food hygiene rating.

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Hopes dashed for solar farm sprawling 190 football pitches

06 May 2024
Hopes dashed for solar farm sprawling 190 football pitches

A council has refused plans for a sprawling and “very controversial” solar farm amid concerns over its visual impact.

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Liberal Democrats take control of borough council

03 May 2024
Liberal Democrats take control of borough council

The Liberal Democrats are ‘ecstatic’ to have taken overall control of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for the first time in almost 30 years.

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£40m waterfront football stadium and neighbourhood plans approved

30 April 2024
£40m waterfront football stadium and neighbourhood plans approved

Plans for an 8,000-seater stadium at the heart of a new waterfront neighbourhood have been given the green light.

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Energy storage plant planned for green belt

29 April 2024
Energy storage plant planned for green belt

A large battery storage facility could be built on farmland in the Metropolitan green belt between a village and the A2.

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‘Everyone must stand up against 3,750 homes - or they will bulldoze you over’

29 April 2024
‘Everyone must stand up against 3,750 homes - or they will bulldoze you over’

Angry residents packed out a meeting hall to express their dismay at a council’s plans for thousands of new homes in their town.

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‘They should pay a premium’: Kent’s second home owners to have council tax bills doubled

29 April 2024
‘They should pay a premium’: Kent’s second home owners to have council tax bills doubled

More than 7,500 second home owners in Kent are set to have their council tax bills doubled, but should they be made to pay a premium?

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‘We have no power to introduce tourism tax’

25 April 2024
‘We have no power to introduce tourism tax’

The idea of introducing a “tourism tax” on overnight visitor stays will not be taken forward because a council does not have the power to do so.

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