WEST KENT NEWS

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The Green Party County Councillor for Tonbridge, Mark Hood, has attacked the government's planned council changes as a "concentration of power".

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The Liberal Democrat Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Ben Chapelard, has welcomed as "exciting" aspects of the radical changes planned for Kent's local government.

The 16th Century "Weavers" building which was most recently a tea room, pub and restaurant is set to be converted into a family home.

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The Conservative leader of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, Matt Boughton, has said Labour's planned reorganisation of local government is "deeply regrettable".

The Labour government's scheme to abolish borough councils is explained.

The Conservative Controlled Kent County Council has voted to ask the Labour government to cancel the local elections set to be held in May.

The Tunbridge Wells heritage railway says it needs to raise £300,000 to replace a corroded bridge.

There's concern about traffic gridlock if two new housing developments in Pembury go ahead.

Water bills in West Kent are to rise by around 50% over the next five years.

Both Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells are likely to lose their Borough Councils under changes just announced by the Labour government.

The Liberal Democrat council in Tunbridge Wells has abandoned proposals to stop through traffic from using many residential roads in the town.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council says a tree planting scheme which was promised at the last local elections has got underway.

The next Black Deer American music festival has been cancelled but organisers hope the event will return in 2026.

A petition opposing a big housing development south of Tunbridge Wells has reached 1,000 signatures.

Labour ministers have approved a big housing scheme on fields near Cranbrook which the previous Conservative administration had blocked.

Taxi fares in Tunbridge Wells are rising sharply, making it the second priciest place in Kent to get a cab.

Kent County Council is pressing ahead with the sale of its 200 year old headquarters building in Maidstone.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says his fledgling party is “going all out” to win seats at the currently Conservative-run Kent County Council next May.

Changes to inheritance tax rules announced in the autumn budget have sent shock waves through Kent’s farming community.

A big new housing estate in Sevenoaks has been approved despite parts of it being likened to a cluster of boils.

A decision on whether to build a massive “new town” in the north Kent countryside has been taken out of local hands, signalling what could happen in the rest of Kent.

Plans have been drawn up to turn the Groombridge Place moated manor house into a luxury hotel, restaurant and spa.

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Local residents and the UK glass industry have expressed regret over the recent removal of the recycling areas for bottles in the Tonbridge Sainsbury’s car park.

The Folly Wildlife Rescue centre near Tunbridge Wells says its future has been secured.

Southborough's church clock that looks down over the town's picturesque cricket pitch is striking the hour once again.

The bells of Tonbridge Parish church bells are undergoing a major restoration.

Work has begun on a new walking and cycling route in Sevenoaks.