Author: Benjamin

Advocates for the community say that the increased need is because local councils have “failed miserably in gypsy provision” in the past. Dartford council’s local plan for 2024 – 2037 has recently been declared “sound” by the government’s Planning Inspectorate following a review process and is set for approval at a council meeting on April 22. But, as part of the housing blueprint, the authority needs to deliver an extra 56 sites for Gypsies and Travellers and one more for travelling showpeople. The site for showpeople, and 35 of the Gypsy and Traveller sites, need to be deliverable “in the…

He was born in Brixton and was named David Robert Jones by his parents. However, he changed his name later in life so that he would not be confused with Davy Jones of The Monkees. The family lived on the border between Brixton and Stockwell and Bowie started his education at Stockwell Infants School until he was six-years-old. Then, Bowie and his family moved to Bickley and then Bromley Common before settling in Sundridge Park where he went to Burnt Ash Junior School. Burnt Ash Junior School is still open today and can be found on Rangefield Road, Bromley. After…

Drivers are facing long waits on the approach to the Dartford Crossing.Long queues are forming on the tunnel approach anticlockwise from Junction 1A A206 in Dartford to Junction 31 A1306 at Lakeside shopping centre, Essex.Drivers are facing congestion after a crash on the M25. Picture: National HighwaysTraffic monitoring tool Inrix is reporting this is due to an accident but this has not yet been confirmed.There is congestion back to Junction 2 at the Darenth Interchange.Emergency services have been contacted for more information. Source link

The Northbound West Tunnel will be closed during the following times: from 11pm to 5:30am on Friday night, and from 10pm to 5am on Saturday night. The Northbound East Tunnel will from 10pm on Sunday night until 5am on Monday. The Dartford Crossing, linking Dartford in Kent and Thurrock in Essex, is a vital road crossing over the River Thames. The information shared is accurate at the time of publication, but may be subject to change, particularly in adverse weather conditions – according to Highways England. Friday, April 26 – Saturday, April 27 A282 Northbound A282 northbound Dartford Crossing West…

Keston Church of England Primary School, based on Lakes Road, was most recently inspected on January 25 and 25, 2024. The report was then published on March 22, 2024. Inspectors who visited the school found that pupils are “happy, well cared for and enjoy attending this school”. It was reported that staff know the pupils “very well” and can therefore give them quick support when needed. This means that pupils feel safe at school, Ofsted reported. Parents and carers gave Ofsted feedback that was “overwhelmingly positive” and staff were found to be “proud members of this warm and welcoming community”.…

Children and parents are leaving nothing to chance when it comes to saving their precious green space.On Monday, Tonbridge and Malling’s scrutiny committee unanimously voted to recommend the council abandon plans to extend the Upper Castle Fields car park in Tonbridge at the expense of a green area close to Slade Primary School and used for after-school play.The children of Slade Primary School make their views on the proposed extension of Castle Fields car park knownJust two days later, scores of children turned out in force with colourful banners opposing the scheme.Mum Laura Bayley said: “It was a really good…

Brendan Robb’s persistent physical and psychological abuse of his victim saw him slapped with multiple court orders to protect her, including a stalking prevention order banning him from entering Swanley.  But the 35-year-old repeatedly defied these court orders, most recently when he was spotted near his kid’s school “disguised” by a facemask.  His victim said: “I have to regularly alter my routine and change the hours of my children’s nursery. I’m constantly driving in different directions so my movements are unpredictable and he can’t follow me.”  Judge Julian Smith sentenced Robb to two years and three months in prison after…

TfL buses align with the Mayor’s Transport Strategy aiming for 80 per cent of journeys via foot, bike, or public transport by 2041. There is currently a bus fleet of around 9,300 buses which follow across 675 different routes. The latest timetable changes are in place to help “match demand, deliver value for money and allow TfL to invest in outer London”. The following timetable changes will take place from Saturday, April 27  A temporary timetable will be introduced on route 44 which will widen the frequency of the service to a bus every 11 minutes between 1pm and 7pm…

Attempts to save land under threat from house-building have suffered a major setback.An inspector concluded land at Westbere, near Canterbury, does not qualify for “village green” status following a campaign by the Two Fields Action Group.The land known as Two Fields to the south of the A28 Island Road on the edge of Sturry and Westbere has been turned down for village green status. Picture: GoogleA chunk of the 37-acre site on the border between Westbere and Sturry parishes is owned by developer Bellway Homes Ltd as well as three other landowners.Under the Commons Act 2006, to qualify to be…

View gallery Image Credit: Getty Images R. Kelly‘s lengthy criminal history and accusations date back to the early 1990s. Throughout the early 2000s, he faced sexual abuse allegations until he was eventually convicted of child pornography in 2022. Although Kelly vowed he’d appeal his decades-long prison sentencing, the former record producer’s appeal was denied in 2024. Learn more about R. Kelly’s case and get updates on where he is below. What Did R. Kelly Do? Although most of Kelly’s accusations date back to the early 1990s, a leaked recording of his alleged sexual encounter with a minor didn’t surface until…