KentOnline

The people behind plans for a surf resort in Kent have been revealing more details.

Planners are hoping to have the inland surfing space, which will generate artificial waves and be known as The Seahive, open by 2025.

The development would also include a luxury hotel.

Also in today's podcast, it's emerged a man who died after being held at an asylum processing site in Kent had diphtheria.

Now public health officials are worried those being moved from Manston to hotels haven't been screened properly.

Hear from a refugee charity and a doctor who explains what the highly contagious disease is.

A Tenterden shop owner says she feels the town has been abandoned by the police.

Emma Pinfold has lost hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of stock in recent years following a series of breakins. We've been speaking to her and have a response from police.

A man who once took to socials to blame Kent for mutating Covid and ruining Christmas, has now turned his attentions to Sheerness.

Phil Carr's TikTok tour of the town has already had more than 145,000 views and 13,000 likes. Hear what he had to say and the response from Sheppey resident and KentOnline reporter John Nurden.

A Folkestone toy company has made a massive donation to the Give a Gift appeal being run by our sister radio station kmfm.

Hear what happened when they popped in to kmfm breakfast with Garry and Chelsea.

And Gillingham are in the draw for the third round of the FA Cup - but they're going to need another replay if they're going to get there.

Hear from manager Neil Harris following their draw with Dagenham and Redbridge at the weekend.

A Sevenoaks man who attacked a woman - then claimed she injured herself - has been sent to prison.

48 year-old Scott Shipwright, from Stone Street, punched and strangled his on-off girlfriend after returning home from a trip to the pub with friends in May.

Our court reporter talks us through what happened.

Also in today's podcast, a farmer in Rochester has turned his land into a habitat to support local wildlife.

Inspired by the driest summer on record, Alex Bates has been working with the RSPB and environmental consultants EPR to create 80 hectares of wetland.

He's been telling us how he's working to turn the clock back.

Meanwhile, dozens of schemes by schools across Kent and Medway have been recognised in this year's Green School Awards.

The seventh annual awards, organised by the KM Charity Team, has looked at the efforts made by students, staff and volunteers to make a difference to our environment - we speak to a school about their wellbeing allotment.

With many of us looking for a bargain on Black Friday - the KentOnline Podcast's been told it's more important than ever to shop local.

Many independent businesses in the county are struggling amid high inflation.

Floortje Hoette, the Chief Executive of the food and drink champion Produced in Kent, is urging people to support them and boost the county's economy.

And in football, Gillingham head to non-league Dagenham and Redbridge in the second round of the FA Cup this weekend.

Our sports reporter caught up with manager Neil Harris ahead of tomorrow's action.

There are calls for a charge to be introduced for people who own holiday lets in part of Kent to cover the cost of collecting their rubbish.

Because they're registered as businesses they don't have to pay council tax, and many are exempt from business rates too.

There are just over 180 short-term lets in Folkestone and Hythe - hear from Labour group leader, Connor McConville, who doesn't think they should be getting services for free.

Also today, a year on from the deaths of dozens of asylum seekers in the English Channel - the KentOnline Podcast's been told another tragedy is highly likely.

At least 27 people lost their lives when an inflatable dinghy capsized near Calais, as they tried to make the dangerous crossing.

We hear from a friend of someone who died, the MP for Dover, and refugee charity Care4Calais.

It's claimed GPs across the county are seeing more patients than ever before.

According to the Kent Local Medical Committee, doctors had more than 800,000 appointments in September.

Strood GP Dr Julian Spinks has told us they're doing the best they can to see everyone who needs help.

Lecturers in Kent are joining colleagues across the country in going on strike today.

Staff at the Uni of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church have been walking out in a dispute over pay.

Students in Medway have been sharing their thoughts with us.

And, hear a snippet of Meghan Trainor's appearance on our sister station kmfm following the release of her last album 'Takin It Back'.

The single 'Made you look', meanwhile, is all over TikTok.

A mum from Edenbridge who spent 18 months in agony has finally been diagnosed, after flying to Poland to see a doctor.

Agnieszka Gray spoke to her GP, a gynecologist and even went to A&E four times - but says no one took her pain seriously.

A doctor in Poland almost immediately realised she had endometriosis which affects the ovaries - hear from her and our reporter who covered the story.

Also in today's podcast, there's been a sharp rise in the number of households in need of emergency housing in Kent's most deprived district.

A total of 542 people in Thanet have had to be given the support during the last financial year - that's almost double than the previous one.

Chris Thomas from homelessness charity Porchlight warns of a "crisis" this winter.

The Home Secretary says it's becoming incredibly difficult to find accommodation for asylum seekers who are crossing the Channel in small boats.

A controversial processing site in Thanet has now been cleared following concerns about overcrowding and poor conditions.

Suella Braverman's been giving evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee in Parliament.

The MP for Dartford has called for Just Stop Oil to be classified as a criminal organisation.

Gareth Johnson's spoken out in the Commons after two men climbed the Dartford Crossing last month as part of a climate protest.

The winter season is officially under way for the people who make sure our roads are clear of frost and snow over the next few months.

The KentOnline Podcast's been told how almost 120 gritters are on standby along with more than 63,000 tonnes of salt. 

We've been chatting with Matt Salt from National Highways.

And in football, hear from manager Neil Harris following Gillingham's draw at Crawley Town.

It means the Gills have been unable to climb out of the League Two relegation zone.

Two people have been injured after part of a hotel wall in Folkestone collapsed.

Falling debris from the Grand Burstin landed on a coach outside, hitting the driver and a tourist yesterday evening.

They were taken to hospital after a huge emergency response.

People staying at the hotel have told the KentOnline Podcast they just want to go home.

Also in today's podcast, Ofsted has downgraded 14 schools in Kent that were previously rated "outstanding".

Under old rules they were exempt from re-inspection for up to 15 years - but they've now been looked at again.

Out of 18 only four kept the top rating - hear from Ofsted's Regional Director for the South East about their findings.

It's understood an asylum processing centre in Manston that's been criticised for "inhumane" conditions is now empty.

Everyone who was being held at the site in Thanet has reportedly been moved.

Supermarkets in Kent and the rest of the country are being urged to cut fuel prices by 5p a litre to help struggling drivers.

The RAC has accused them of failing to pass on savings made by lower wholesale costs to customers.

Howard Cox from Cranbrook-based campaign group Fair Fuel UK explains why he thinks the government needs to cut fuel duty.

More and more presents are continuing to be donated to our sister radio station, kmfm, as part of their Give a Gift campaign.

We're collecting toys to give to children during the festive season.

Katy Clements from Morrisons in Larkfield joined Garry and Chelsea on kmfm breakfast this morning.

And in football, Gillingham will be hoping to climb out of the League Two relegation zone as they travel to Crawley Town tonight.

Neil Harris' side dropped into the bottom two following a defeat at Newport County at the weekend.

A Kent farm shop owner is urging us to shop local to help British farmers survive the cost of living crisis.

Amber Furnival runs a store on Romney Marsh but says she was 'disheartened' after going a whole day without a single customer.

The farm store opened in 2020 and only stocks British produce which does cost a bit more.

Also in today's podcast, as the World Cup gets underway in Qatar, it's feared there could be an increase in domestic abuse here in Kent.

Victims are being urged to contact the police or reach out to charities to get help if they're facing violence because of the football.

Hear from Emma Craigie from Whitehead Monckton solicitors in Maidstone.

A government minister says as far as he knows the death of an asylum seeker was not caused by conditions at a processing centre in Manston.

A man being held at the site in Thanet became ill and passed away in hospital over the weekend.

A Sittingbourne woman says she fears for her family's health because of the amount of mould in their home.

Vicky Norman has lived in the property in Murston for the past eight years and says it's always been a problem.

Elsewhere, cars have been vandalised along a road in Strood after a party advertised on social media got out of control.

Details for the 16-year-old's birthday at Kitchener Road were shared on Snapchat and as many as 150 teenagers showed up.

Councillor Zoe Van Dyke, who lives on the street, has been speaking to us about what happened.

It's been a year since work began on revamping the Stockbury roundabout - and bosses say good progress is being made. 

The hot and dry summer allowed crews to race ahead of schedule and the flyover is expected to be in place by the middle of next year 

Our reporter's been chatting with Dan Rollinson who's from National Highways.

And in football, hear from a very frustrated Gillingham manager as his side drop into the League Two relegation zone after losing to Newport at the weekend.

A man has died after a lorry overturned in Strood.

People rushed to try and clear rubble after the vehicle went over on Station Road yesterday lunchtime.

Lucy Hickmott has details on the investigation and an arrest that has been made.

Also in today's podcast, the family of a West Malling woman who was murdered in Qatar are urging England's footballers to raise awareness of her story at the World Cup.

24-year-old Lauren Patterson was working as a teacher there when she was killed. Hear from her mum Alison.

A woman who was threatened by a robber at her home in Chatham has told the KentOnline Podcast how she's forgiven him and hopes he turns his life around.

Harry Garratty got into Chevon Eneh's house in July last year. She's been recalling the moment to reporter Sean McPolin.

The KentOnline podcast has been told how more and more people are searching online about workplace bullying - because they're feeling targeted.

There's been a 300% jump in searches in the last three months alone. Antonio Fletcher from Whitehead Monckton solicitors in Maidstone has been explaining more during anti-bullying week.

Our features writer Sam Lawrie has details on events you need to know about in Kent this weekend.

And, Gillingham reporter Luke Cawdell has been catching up with boss Neil Harris ahead of their game this weekend.

They are in desperate need of a win as they travel to take on Newport County in league two.

As the cost of living crisis continues, the Chancellor has been delivering his Budget.

Also in today's podcast, Kent MP Tom Tugendhat has been banned from driving for 6 months after being caught using a mobile behind the wheel.

The boss of a hotel near Sandwich has explained his decision to turn down more than £1 million from the Government to house asylum seekers.

Richard Martin runs the Blazing Donkey in Ham and was approached by an agency who guaranteed 100 percent occupancy for a year.

However, he says it would have meant cancelling weddings and making most of his staff redundant.

Also in today's podcast, it's been revealed Dartford is one of the most popular places in the county to live.

The town's population has grown at triple the rate of England with things like highly rated schools and distance to London among the factors.

We chat to an estate agent about why the area is so popular.

The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, is announcing details of his autumn budget tomorrow.

We look ahead to what we might see, with Tudor Price from the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

A school in Medway is celebrating after being rated Good by inspectors for the first time in more than 15 years.

Elaine Primary was taken over by the Inspire Partnership in 2018 and has since become the most improved in Medway.

We speak to the schools Headteacher in today’s podcast.

Plus, Gillingham are through to the second round of the FA Cup after beating AFC Fylde in a replay at Priestfield.

Scott Kashket missed an early penalty for the Gills, but Lewis Walker scored just before half time, and the game ended 1-0.

Hear from Gills boss, Neil Harris.

The owner of a popular restaurant in Herne Bay has been ordered to take down a glass enclosure around an outside seating area.

Mehmet Dari erected the 'extension' outside the front of A La Turka in Central Parade, Herne Bay, in the summer of 2019.

Following a Canterbury City Council probe he was forced to apply for retrospective permission for the glazed shelter, which has a capacity for 30 customers. 

Also in today's podcast, the parents of a baby who died after choking at a nursery in Ashford have been praised in parliament for their bravery.

Nine-month-old Oliver Steeper passed away in hospital six days after the incident in September last year.

His mum and dad started a petition, against plans to relax laws around the staff to children ratio.

Kent County Council have written to the government warning they could go bankrupt within the next couple of years, unless they get more financial support.

Their budget is apparently at "breaking point" and it's feared cutting vital services will affect the most vulnerable in society.

After the people behind the idea for a massive theme park in north Kent withdrew their plans - a new vision for the land has been put forward.

The Swanscombe Peninsula is home to endangered and rare species of plants and insects. We hear from a local councillor and a campaigner from the Swanscombe Peninsula Group.

Plus, Gillingham welcome AFC Fylde to Priestfield tonight for their FA Cup first round replay.

It finished 1-1 last time the sides met. We chat to Gills boss Neil Harris.