KentOnline

A row's broken out between a developer and residents after plans for six flats on land in Folkestone were approved.

The council meeting had to be paused and staff called to intervene after the argument broke out between Leo Griggs and people opposed to his proposals for Shorncliffe Road.

Also in today's podcast, a man accused of murdering another man in Canterbury is set to walk free after his friend accepted blame for the killing.

Samare Gerezgihir died after being stabbed in the city centre during a late night attack last October.

Bosses in Dover have thanked the community for coming together to help families affected by a huge fire.

Flats on Crabble Hill had to be evacuated after the blaze broke out in the early hours of Saturday.

Figures seen by the podcast have revealed the cost of three by-elections in Medway came to more than £14  per vote, as only 20% of voters cast a ballot.

Just over 4,200 people had their say over who should win the Medway Council seats in February. We've been getting reaction from the council leader.

Hundreds of children have been taking part in St George's Day parades in north Kent.

They've spent the past few weeks doing creative workshops to make Saint George themed shields and dragons - They also carried signs promoting friendship, unity and community.

And, the boss of a Medway restaurant's been telling us how he uses money he makes on TikTok to provide food for people who are homeless.

Burgerman Serj runs the Hungry House site on Chatham High Street, and has more than 280,000 followers on social media.

The parents of a young girl who broke her neck after falling from a zipline in Ashford say it's 'too dangerous' for children.

Lois Crook had gone to Victoria Park in the town with her mum and older brother and fell head first after being thrown into the air.

Also in today's podcast, religious leaders across Kent have been paying tribute to the Pope following his death at the age of 88.

Francis passed away yesterday morning after having a stroke and heart failure. Hear from the Archdeacon of Canterbury, Will Adam.

There are calls for more to be done to help people who have been fined for speeding on the A20 after the limit was changed.

A temporary 40-mile-per hour limit was in put place in October 2023, but many drivers say there weren't enough signs. Hear from Coleen Blackburn who is part of the A20 Justice Alliance.

Hundreds of schools across England, including 11 in Kent and Medway, are launching free breakfast clubs this week.

It's part of efforts to make sure no child goes hungry - and to help parents save money on childcare costs.

We've been speaking to the headteacher of Chilmington Green Primary in Ashford which is among those taking part in the trial.

Football legend Tony Adams has been visiting Margate to see the work being done to help recovering addicts.

The former England captain struggled with an alcohol problem during his career and is now chair of The Forward Trust charity.

And in sport, Gillingham have now gone 10 games unbeaten after a 1-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon.

Joe Gbode scored the winning goal in the second half at Priestfield yesterday.

Pictures at KentOnline today show the shocking state of a home in Faversham dubbed the 'flat from hell' after a woman was arrested on suspicion of child neglect.

People living close to the property near Faversham say it's still filled with filth, four months after being abandoned.

Also in today's episode, a Medway mum's told us she feels like she's living with a 'ticking time bomb' after learning her breast implants could be toxic.

Abby Squire had cosmetic surgery in 2009, but only recently found out implants made by the same pharmaceutical company were recalled in 2019.

The air ambulance charity that covers Kent is urging us to take extra care on the roads and at home over the Easter weekend.

There's usually an increase in patients needing emergency care at this time of year as more people get out and about.

The co-founder of a Kent mindfulness project says watching Adolescence has made her even more determined to help young children as they launch their second book today.

The Netflix drama about a 13-year-old accused of murder has raised questions over the influence of social media.

98% of children starting primary school in Kent in September have got into one of their three preferred choices.

Offer emails have been sent to parents yesterday afternoon and more than 95% in Medway got their first choice.

And in football, Bradley Dack has admitted he wants to stay at Gillingham next season.

The 31-year-old re-joined the club last summer after seven years away - but hasn't featured as much as he'd like.

Three men have gone on trial accused of repeatedly raping a young girl after spotting her alone in a supermarket car park.

A court's been told the men were 'complete strangers' to the youngster and encouraged her into a car after promising she could have a cigarette.

Also in today's podcast, a Kent MP wants to bring in new rules making it compulsory for energy companies to offer social tariffs to vulnerable households.

It would mean providers would be forced to offer reduced rates for some groups, including people on benefits or disabled customers.

East Thanet's Polly Billington says the fuel poverty rate in Kent is currently at just over 11%.

A new art installation is being unveiled in Dover today as part of events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

It's based on a sound mirror, something that was used during the war effort to detect incoming aircraft off the Kent coast.

They are seen as the precursor to radar and essential for success in the second world war.

A man from Dover has become one of just a handful of Western tourists to visit North Korea in the last five years.

Anthony James Macfarlane was given a visa to visit an area near the Chinese and Russian borders.

And in sport, stats have revealed Gillingham spent more on agent fees in the last year than almost any other side in league two.

In the 12 months to February, bosses at Priestfield had forked out more than £235,000.

Police have been called to a farm’s family fun day after animal rights activists targeted the event - with some parents saying young children were “upset”.

Officers were pictured at the spring fair in Ashford, as the protesters handed out leaflets promising a “fun-packed tour of your local abattoir”.

Also on today’s podcast, a frantic 999 call made after a young man was fatally stabbed in the heart by his girlfriend’s cousin has been played in court.

Jack Cadwallader was attacked after a row broke out at a flat in Harrietsham last July. 

An investigation has found one local authority is sitting on almost £20 million of unused funds meant for health, education and leisure projects.

You can hear from local democracy reporter Robert Boddy who’s been getting to the bottom of why the cash has not been spent. 

Construction has started on two housing developments in Swale which will have more than 700 “much-needed” homes.

Diggershave begun work in Minster and Sittingbourne – once complete some of the properties will be affordable housing. 

And, the Kent winner of a National Lottery prize of £10,000 a month for 30 years has just one week left to claim their prize.

We know the winning ticket was bought in Sevenoaks in October – we’ve spoken to lottery bosses about all the places it could be hiding. 

There are fears horror stories from the county’s A&E departments have left many patients afraid to seek urgent hospital treatment.

Reports of sick people stranded for hours on trolleys in crowded corridors are having a knock-on effect on local surgeries.

Also in today podcast, a drink driver was warned she could be facing jail after admitting to getting behind the wheel while over the legal limit for at least the third time.

She was spotted by police at the wheel of her car in Maidstone in February “driving at excess speed” and going in a bus lane.

Dozens of Evri couriers are being chased by debt collectors after their depot decided to install private parking cameras.

Early time slot drivers at the depot in Strood were told ANPR cameras were going live in November to stop unauthorised parking – but more than 20 have received penalty notices. 

Ambitious plans for a new four-storey HMO building in the rear yard of an existing property in Maidstone town centre have been submitted.

Housing bosses want to build a 10-bed house of multiple occupation in Week Street despite concerns over a lack of vehicle access. 

And in football, it was a big weekend for the Gillingham boss after he notched up his first win since joining the club. 

You can hear from Gareth Ainsworth and goal scorer Bradley Dack following their 1 – nil win over MK Dons at the weekend. 

A topless teenager who wielded a knife during a fight along a packed Kent seafront where hundreds of people were gathered has been in court. 

The brawl erupted between a large group of youths - some carrying weapons - opposite Margate's main sands last summer.

Also in today’s podcast, you can hear from Kent Police following an announcement named bobbies are returning to town centres across the county in a major shakeup in policing. 

It’s part of an effort to tackle anti-social behaviour and dash perceptions the police have “abandoned” communities. 

An inquest has heard a kickboxer who trained at a Kent gym died from an overdose of multiple drugs in a Thai hotel room. 

His body was found last October, next to another man who was rushed to hospital and survived the ordeal. 

Plans put forward by a young business owner to revitalise part of a high street that “doesn’t really offer anything” have been refused amid privacy concerns.

The 22-year-old had hoped to build a two-storey development on land next to her hairdressers in New Romney.

And in football, Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth is treating the final few games as a “free hit” for him as he looks to see which players he wants to keep with him next season.

You can hear from the manager as they prepare for their match against MK Dons this weekend. 

Parents on Sheppey say they're worried about their children's future after they were offered secondary school places nearly 30 miles away on the mainland.

It's because of a lack of secondary space on the island, but  now some families say they may have to hire private tutors.

Also in today's episode, the podcast has been told part of Kent remains a 'community in crisis', two years after a major cliff collapse.

The A256 Galley Hill Road is still shut after a large section crumbled away - with chalk falling onto businesses below.

A leading Kent business expert says a new theme park planned for Bedfordshire could face similar problems to one that was due to be built in Kent.

We're told the Universal resort would create 25,000 jobs and boost the economy by £50 billion. Hear from Tudor Price who is the chief executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

A former senior college lecturer could receive a huge pay-out after a colleague was recorded mocking her and was found to have spread false racial abuse claims.

And in sport, Tonbridge Angels have appointed a new manager following the departure of Jay Saunders.

Controversial plans for a 2,500-home estate near Sittingbourne are back on the agenda more than six years after they were first suggested.

Developers want to put properties on farmland off the Sheppey way in Bobbing and say they've addressed concerns over open space, sports provisions and road links.

Also in today's episode, an inquest into the death of a young girl at a music festival in Margate has heard more than 80 people were found with drugs at the event.

17-year-old Emily Stokes suffered a cardiac arrest after taking MDMA at the drum and bass festival at Dreamland in June last year.

A Kent MP is urging the government to do more to clear the backlog of crown court cases in Kent.

Tris Osborne's told a debate in Westminster Hall more than 2,300 are waiting to be heard in Maidstone, with almost 900 due to be heard in Canterbury.

A protester's been thrown out of a meeting as plans were discussed for new homes near Canterbury.

Developers wanted to put 17 properties on land in Wingham, but it got heated during talk about a pedestrian crossing on Preston Hill near the busy A257 - the main road through the village.

And in sport, it was another draw for Gillingham in league two last night as it finished 1-1 at Chesterfield.

Elliott Nevitt scored for the Gills before the home side equalised on 77 minutes.

Two men have gone on trial accused of murder after another man was stabbed through the heart during an attack in Canterbury.

23 year-old Samare Gerezgihir - who was also known as Sammy or Jamyl - died at the scene in a courtyard near the former Nasons department store in the city centre in October last year.

People living in two Kent villages fear they could be left without high-speed wifi after a provider announced plans to pull out of the area.

Trooli's confirmed a small number of customers on a copper network in Stansted and part of Fairseat will be affected.

A Kent dad who's raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity after being diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer has won a top award.

Paul Dennington has taken part in various challenges, and was recognised at the Pride in Medway event.

His latest campaign will see him walk 25 million steps on a month-long journey from Newcastle to Medway.

Kent property developers have been talking to the Podcast about how they're setting out to "level up" the shared accommodation game.

Aaron Prowse and Ellis O'Sullivan currently have nine HMOs in Medway and Gravesend - and are in the process of buying another four, with two more in construction.

A Kent chocolate company has created the UK's biggest and heaviest Easter Egg.

It's seven feet tall and weighs 300 kilograms - which is the same as a polar bear.

And in sport, Gillingham are on the road again as they take on Chesterfield tonight.

It's a quick turnaround for the Gills who secured a point at Salford City on Saturday with a 2-2 draw.