KentOnline

It’s understood plans for a £30 million hotel at a country park have been quietly dropped after the intended operator pulled out.

The controversial scheme at Betteshanger, near Deal, was met with huge opposition and took two years to get planning permission.

Also in today’s podcast, the family of a sub-postmistress convicted of stealing thousands from the branch will be given the chance to clear her name after “an abuse of process”.

Pat Owen was found guilty of theft from the Broad Oak Post Office in Sturry, near Canterbury, in 1998, despite denying any involvement in a £6,000 shortfall in its accounts.

There’s a warning from the RNLI about using inflatables in the sea after two men had to be rescued after being blown out to sea in strong winds while on a paddleboard and inflatable flamingo.

It happened on Monday afternoon when the pair got into difficulty off Leysdown beach on the Isle of Sheppey.

You can hear from teenagers in the county following the bombshell news people as young as 16 can vote in the next UK general election for the first time.

We also spoke to a Kent County Councillor to get his thoughts on what’s been called the biggest electoral reform in 50 years. 

And in football the Gillingham manager says he’s pretty happy with how the squad is shaping up as their pre-season continues. 

They’re hosting Luton Town tomorrow at Priestfield. 

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The body of a much-loved son has been found in woodland, over a week after he was reported missing.

The 32-year-old hadn’t been seen since he was spotted in Hawkhurst last Tuesday – it comes just a day after his family made an appeal for information. 

Also in today’s podcast, the number of children getting an MMR jab in Kent must increase to prevent a measles outbreak, the county’s director of public health has warned.

The percentage of youngsters in both Kent and Medway coming forward for immunisation has slumped over the last few years - falling well below the targets needed to eradicate the highly contagious infection.

KentOnline’s Blue Badge Battle campaign has been debated at Westminster Hall, with the government agreeing to meet to discuss possible changes.

It's after KentOnline put forward local case studies - showing the need for flexibility from councillors and for the introduction of a temporary badge system. 

You can hear the moment a prolific shoplifter tried to jump off railings near pier in Medway in a failed bid to flee police.

He’d been accused of shoplifting offences adding up to £400 and was spotted in Chatham High Street by officers. 

And in cricket, Kent captain Sam Billings says the Spitfires can only focus on themselves as they bid to reach the Vitality Blast quarter-finals.

Billings knows victory at home to Essex tomorrow at Canterbury could see them qualify for the last eight - but they might still need other results to go their way.

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A restaurant boss has been hauled before a court after failing to remove an illegal dining enclosure built without planning permission outside his seafront eatery.

The owners of A La Turka in Herne Bay has admitted two offences relating to the structure - which continues to stand more than three years after he was ordered to take it down. 

Also in today’s podcast, an inquiry into the crimes of David Fuller has concluded the offences carried out by the necrophiliac “could happen again”.

David Fuller sexually abused the bodies of more than 100 women and girls in hospital mortuaries and is already serving two whole life sentences for the murders of two women – you can hear from a Kent MP who’s backing calls for statutory regulation. 

KentOnline’s Blue Badge campaign will be debated in parliament today after receiving the backing of all 18 of the county’s MPs. 

They’re calling for changes which would allow for temporary parking concessions, and more flexibility from local councils. 

The boss of Thames Water has faced questions from MPs - after the struggling firm posted annual losses of 1-point-6-5 billion pounds.

The supplier, which covers parts of north Kent, is facing the threat of nationalisation over ballooning debts.

And we’ve been hearing from people in Folkestone about what they think about plans to force dogs to be kept on leads at a popular playing field. 

The proposals are set to be scrapped following a huge backlash with around 90% of respondents to a consultation against it. 

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A driver has called a parking firm “disgusting” after he was wrongfully issued a £100 fine for overstaying.

He’d left his car at the multi-storey in Maidstone on two separate occasions, days apart, and paid each time but was baffled when a hefty bill arrived claiming he had parked there for six days.

Also in today’s podcast, it’s been revealed the railway crossing where an Amazon delivery driver died when his van was hit by a train has a history of near misses. 

You can hear from a local councillor who says safety improvements must be made to stop similar incidents happening in the future. 

The KentOnline Podcast has also been hearing about concerns from farmers as the hot, dry weather is impacting crops.

Josiah Jones, who manages land near Gravesend, says forage that's normally gathered ahead of the winter is down 50 percent on normal levels.

A former Kent MP says he backs an "insurance based" system - to avoid a crisis in social care 

Damian Green is now chair of the Social Care Foundation and says people should be able to take out a policy in case they need care later in life 

And yesterday we told you how a council hopes to revive controversial plans to fine people for swearing in public - just months after backing down in a legal row.

Now you can hear from the people of Thanet on what they think about the proposals which are aimed at cracking down on anti-social behaviour in places like Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs. 

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A Kent man who had the privilege of travelling with a megastar for one of the biggest global events has been reliving the memories of Live Aid 40-years on. 

You can hear from broadcaster Steve Blacknell who flew on Concorde with Phil Collins as the singer jetted from the London show to Philadelphia in July 1985. 

Also on today’s podcast, investigations are underway after an Amazon delivery driver died following a collision involving a train near Sittingbourne. 

Rail services had to be suspended due to the crash in Teynham – one of our reporters has been at the scene. 

You can also hear from a Medway woman who’s been telling us how scary it was to be diagnosed with skin cancer after years of using sunbeds.

Levi-Mariah Verrall had to have a biopsy after noticing a small pigmentation on her face in 2022 and now she’s hoping her story will serve as a warning to others. 

A former international athlete knocked down by a car while out jogging managed to get to her feet and run more than half a mile home - despite suffering a fractured spine.

The driver has appeared in court after the runner was struck near Canterbury, sending her tumbling into a grass bank and onto the road.

And in football, Gillingham’s draw against Reading gave their manager a good feeling about what the team could achieve in the future.

We spoke to Gareth Ainsworth after Saturday’s match. 

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A huge fire's broken out at an industrial estate in Strood - with smoke visible from miles away.

Crews were called to the Viridor recycling centre on the Medway City Estate just before six this morning. Hear from a reporter at the scene and a man who works nearby.

Also in today's podcast, a hosepipe ban has been announced for a large part of Kent as the hot weather puts pressure on supplies.

South East Water say in recent weeks demand has increased to record levels for this time of year. We've been hearing from the Water Supply Director at the company.

A car salesman has told us he could be forced to close his business in Sittingbourne after a wall collapsed onto a number of vehicles.

Tom Bowles reckons the damage to his fleet of vehicles could reach £120,000 - he has been speaking to reporter Joe Crossley.

The first electric aircraft of its kind has crossed the Channel to Kent.

The two-seater plane touched down in Lydd before making the onward trip to Rochester Airport.

A team of four pilots aged between 17 and 23 and involved in the project to reduce CO2 emissons and noise pollution.

A Kent dad who plays in a Madness tribute band will honour his daughter by performing at a festival more than two years after her death.

Caitlin Goodsell was aged just 17 when she passed away in 2023 - after being diagnosed with a complicated heart condition when she was just eight weeks old.

Preston Summerfest in Canterbury is raising money for Demelza children's hospice.

And in sport,  it's another pre-season friendly for Gillingham this weekend.

They're hosting Reading at Priestfield tomorrow.

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A police officer was seen “bleeding” after coming out of a house before a lengthy stand-off at a property.

At least nine police vehicles were called to the property in Sheerness after two officers were reportedly assaulted.

Also in today’s podcast, businesses and residents at the centre of everyday delays on a historic bridge are calling for a solution.

You can hear from residents who say getting stuck at a standstill waiting to cross Yalding Town Bridge has been a challenge for the last 15 years. 

Volunteers behind a new “social supermarket” aimed at tackling poverty stigma and reducing reliance on foodbanks say nearly 200 people have signed up in just the first few weeks. 

The Dartford Larder, based at Copperfields Walk in the town centre, offers discounted food to members struggling on low incomes.

You can hear about a wine-snatching burglar who was stopped by a man in a dressing gown who leapt out of a sauna to chase him down. 

The thief was seen through the kitchen window of a home near Canterbury. 

And, the King is coming to Kent this today for his first official visit to the county since ascending the throne.

His Majesty is visiting Walmer and Deal and meeting with a community group who clean up the beaches – we’ve spoken to one of their volunteers. 

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More details have emerged about a man who was shot by police in a village near Maidstone

Footage from body-worn cameras shows he was wielding a chainsaw and wearing a gas mask – and had what officers thought was an improvised explosive device. 

Also in today’s podcast, a mum whose son suffered heat exhaustion at school as temperatures hit 32 degrees says making pupils wear trousers during a heatwave is “inhumane”.

The 12-year-old has to collected from school as he felt “dizzy and unwell” on what was the hottest day of the year so far.

There’s also a warning for local traders who have been told there’s no excuse for still selling single use vapes.

It’s after a ban came in more than a month ago – since then more than 24,000 non compliant devices have been seized across the county. 

A Kent Police officer has been jailed after persuading relatives to take the rap for two speeding offences he had committed.

The officer who worked at Medway Police Station, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice after family members claimed they had been driving the car.

And in sport you can hear from the Gillingham manager after victory in their pre-season friendly against Dover. 

Gareth Ainsworth says it was good to see some young players get some game time in the 1 – nil win. 

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A man has been seriously injured after being shot by police at an address near Maidstone.

Kent Police have confirmed they were in Hollingbourne last night to make an arrest when a firearm was discharged.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has confirmed it is investigation.

Also in today's podcast, staff at a Kent animal sanctuary say they are shocked and heartbroken over the theft of one of their goats.

Taco had only been at Buttercups for just over 24 hours when he was taken.

We've been getting an update from the boss behind the restoration of the Leas Lift in Folkestone.

The historic landmark has been closed since 2017, but work is now well underway to bring it back to life.

Once the £6.6 million renovation is complete it'll carry passengers from the promenade to the seafront.

A paramedic working in Kent has been telling us how it feels when former patients reach out to say thank you.

Callum Burnett is part of the Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex team - giving life saving support to the most critical cases across the county.

And in sport, Gillingham play their first pre-season friendly tonight.

They're travelling to take on Dover Athletic at the Crabble - hear from midfielder Jonny Williams.

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A Kent woman says she’s been forced back into homelessness and is “living out of carrier bags” after being “kicked out” of her makeshift home.

Kelly Cardwell said her life was finally getting back on track after a year of sofa surfing when she found a converted garage room to rent – but council have told her she has to leave. 

Also in today’s podcast, we've been hearing from a Kent charity, on how to spot the subtle signs of alcohol dependency in the work place.

It's a new campaign from the Kenward Trust in Yalding - which will feature real life stories from people who alcohol use impacted their working lives. 

A new inclusion centre will open in Kent next month, to help support children with additional needs who are struggling in mainstream education. 

The Daffodil Project will offer programs for so-called "corridor kids" - who are at risk of being left behind or isolated because of unmet needs.

Fierce objections have been raised against plans for 45 houses and a 66-bedroom care home on a farmer’s fields with a neighbour claiming it will “absolutely spoil” the town.

The proposed development, which also includes the potential to transfer land to Sandwich Technology School for a new sports pitch, has been put to council. 

And kmfm’s campaign to replenish food banks in Kent during the summer holiday is back for 2025.

Last year, you donated more than 9-point 2 tonnes of tins that were distributed across the county – on today’s podcast you car hear from one of the charities who will benefit. 

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