Gabriel Morris

2 months ago | bbc.co.uk | Bob Dale |Gabriel Morris

Image source, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTING SERVICEImage caption, Parents affected by the decisions gathered at a meetingLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceA group of parents have said they will take Kent County Council (KCC) to court over the secondary school places their children have been allocated. The families live on the Isle of Sheppey, but have been offered places at schools on the mainland, which they say will mean a round trip of about 60 miles.

Mar 22, 2025 | kentlive.news | Daniel Esson |Gabriel Morris

Contentious proposals for more than 200 homes on the outskirts of a Kent town have been approved, after they appeared in front of councillors for the fourth time. Concerned residents say the project will obliterate the "unique" setting of the area, arguing that the poised housing estate off the Old Thanet Way in Whitstable has been crafted primarily for commuters. However, it was given the green light this week, amid a “crisis” in the district’s housing supply.

Jan 7, 2025 | kentonline.co.uk | Gabriel Morris

By Gabriel Morris, Local Democracy ReporterPlans to extend a traffic scheme have taken a step forward despite fears over child safety. Medway Council introduced the School Streets scheme, which stops drivers from using roads outside of schools during drop-off and pick-up times, across seven sites in April. The move has been deemed a success and the council wants to expand it to a further nine schools.

Dec 10, 2024 | kentonline.co.uk | Gabriel Morris |Daniel Esson

By Gabriel Morris and Daniel EssonMore than nine out of 10 Maidstone eateries with low food hygiene scores have not been displaying the correct rating - the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) can exclusively reveal. Takeaways and restaurants in the county town have been described as “trying to con the public”, as 21 of the 22 businesses in the centre rated three-star or below displayed either no rating, or the wrong one.

Nov 19, 2024 | kentlive.news | Daniel Esson |Gabriel Morris

Fed-up neighbours have compared bright lights on a nearby school which stay on until 10pm every night to the Blackpool Illuminations. The Broadstairs residents say the “irritating” glare is still visible even when they have their curtains drawn. But bosses at Upton Junior School insist the security lights on the outside of its gym building in Edge End Road need to be kept on for health and safety reasons.