Dean Kilpatrick
Local Democracy Reporter

Rochester Airport could yet have a paved runway "in the next few years" - that's according to the leader of Medway Council.

Increased costs of around 30% meant plans for the provision had to be dropped earlier this year, with the work no longer covered by a £4.4 million Local Growth Fund grant.

The prospect of a paved runway has always been a controversial element for the airport, which will lose one of its two grass runways as part of the Innovation Park Medway project.

Concerns have previously been raised by Natural England, Highways England and local residents.

But councillor Alan Jarrett (Con) told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the plans have not been shelved completely.

Image source, Medway Council

He said: "This is a matter of timing, it's a matter of financing. This project was first scoped years ago and things have moved on.

"The concrete runway became unaffordable and we had to focus on what we could do with the money that we had, and that's why we are where we are now.

"It still remains an aspiration for this administration and for the airport operators (Rochester Airport Limited). Given time and money, that will come forward at a later stage.

"It's important to get on with what we can get on with now. Hopefully in the next few years, that will come back to the table again."

Surrey enjoy another dominant day against Somerset, putting themselves in contention to win by an innings for the sixth time in 2018.

Karen Dunn
Local Democracy Reporter

Horsham District Council (HDC) will soon have nine new homes to use as temporary accommodation after approving its own planning application.

The application, to demolish a garage block in Rowan Drive, Billingshurst, and replace it with three one-bedroom flats and six two-bedroom flats, received unanimous consent on Tuesday.

The flats will boost the council's stock of temporary housing for residents facing homelessness, adding to the 17 it bought last year in Burstow Court, Horsham.

While the application received unanimous consent, there was some anger following an objection from Billingshurst parish councillor Dave Homer.

While recognising the need for more housing, Mr Homer felt Billingshurst had already taken "its fair share".

He said it was "inconceivable" that Horsham would turn down its own application, accusing the council of acting as "judge, jury and executioner".

Committee chairman Brian O'Connell (Con, Henfield) said the comments were "non-founded" and "out of order".

He added: "I can assure you there are no pre-determined decisions here, whoever the applicant is."

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

The M20 has been closed London-bound between Ashford and Maidstone by an overturned lorry.

Image source, Kent Police Roads Policing Unit

It happened just after 14:00 BST today, between junctions nine and eight.

There are no serious injuries, but traffic towards London is being diverted off the motorway at junction nine.

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

A teenage moped rider has been injured in a hit and run in Ashford.

It happened at traffic lights at the junction of the A28 Chart Road and Loudon Road, between 14:00 and 14:30 on 17 September.

Image source, Google

The moped collided with a blue hatchback, which drove off towards Broofield Road.

The youth was taken to hospital with leg injuries.

Sarah Booker-Lewis
Local Democracy Reporter

Image source, Google

A North Laine office canteen's plans to sell alcohol has sparked objections from concerned neighbours.

Caterer NSK Foods Limited operates Soul Deli Brighton on the ground and sixth floors of Mocatta House in Trafalgar Place, an office building which is open 24 hours a day.

It has applied to Brighton and Hove City Council to sell alcohol from 07:00 to 23:00 every day, although it says it will only use the 23:00 option for corporate events and launches.

Three neighbours, the North Laine Community Association (NLCA) and Green Councillor Lizzie Deane, have all written to oppose the plans.

In her letter Ms Deane points out the application is in the city's special stress area (SSA) which means there are concerns about the relatively high levels of crime and disorder and nuisance experienced within the area.

She said: "Granting this licence application will do nothing to promote the council's licensing objectives, and I ask that it be refused."

The application goes before the council's licensing panel on Friday.

Polly Evans
BBC South East Social Affairs Correspondent

Image source, Essex Police

Surrey Police has defended the use of a dramatic short film depicting the events running up to the murder of 14-year-old Breck Bednar from Redhill by a man he met via online gaming.

The short feature Breck's Last Game stars his mother Lorin LaFave and includes a scene in which Breck's killer Lewis Daynes holds a knife to his neck.

Surrey Police, which has produced the film with three other forces, says it's hard-hitting because it's a shocking case and children need to be aware of the dangers.

At the launch of the film, Deputy Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said: "It's shocking because it's real, I think it's important that kids understand it."

Image source, PA

He added: "Every young person has an online life nowadays and, of course, there are tremendous benefits that come from that, but what this shocking and harrowing film shows is that in extreme cases the consequences are horrific."

Breck's Last Game features Breck's mother Lorin LaFave expressing growing concerns about his relationship with fellow gamer Daynes.

Ms LaFave said she found it tough to take part, but that they wanted to show that online grooming can take place through a relationship that feels like a real friendship.

She said: "I didn't want it to shock but the story is shocking. Breck was an every day schoolboy who was loved by his family, liked by his friends and he could fall for something like this. To me that's the shock."

Dan Maclaren
BBC Live reporter

A man has been arrested after a 39-year-old man from Sittingbourne was found dead in Rochester High Street yesterday morning.

Police are trying to establish the cause of death, but are treating it as suspicious. The arrested man is in his 30s and from Rainham.

Officers would like to hear from anyone who may have any information about the man's death, or may have heard or seen anything suspicious.

Huw Oxburgh
Local Democracy Reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Options to stop dog attacks on sheep at Telscombe Tye are due to be put to the public.

The area has grazing rights for a number of sheep and Telscombe Town Council own and manage a community flock of 100 ewes.

While the town council encourages the public use of the Tye, a total of 31 ewes were killed, while 50 lambs were also lost between January and November 2017.

Despite local measures to try and prevent dog attacks, incidents continue and a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is now being proposed to help tackle the issue.

Lewes District Council is set to consult on three options for the wording of a draft PSPO.

This course of action was approved by cabinet members on Monday.

Isabelle Linington, cabinet member for environmental impact, described the number of attacks as "worrying".

"We just can't allow that to continue," she added.

After the option is chosen, the council would have to consider how to enforce the terms of any PSPO.

Image source, @SNAPPERSK

Campaigners opposed to a major new cycling event in West Sussex have been told any protest must be "legal and safe".

Mass walking protests are planned along the route of Velo South, which is due to take place on Sunday with 15,000 cyclists taking part.

People living in the area have dubbed the route around Pulborough, Billingshurst and Chichester "the Lycra loop" and say it'll trap 140,000 households for nine hours.

Sussex Police have now issued a warning to residents saying they "won't tolerate anything that endangers others".

A similar event in Birmingham last year was targeted with nails and metal objects.

Event organisers say the ride will raise substantial amounts for charity and boost health, tourism and the local economy.

Image source, Photoshot

A Kent MP is calling for a rethink on plans to close the M20 on Remembrance Sunday because of the impact diversions will have on planned commemorations.

Highways England has announced the motorway will be shut between junctions 4 at Leybourne and 6 at Maidstone for the demolition and rebuilding of Teapot Lane footbridge.

But Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch says previous closures meant surrounding roads became "rat runs".

Writing on Facebook she said: "I'm conscious Highways England has announced the M20 is closed from 10pm on 9th November to 6am on Monday 12th but have done so without the local knowledge of parades to honour those who lost their lives in conflict.

"What is clear from last weekend is all the surrounding roads become rat runs and so I would like to build up a picture of closures to persuade Highways to reconsider that particular weekend for the M20 closure."

Highways England has been approached for comment.

Image source, Sussex Police

A £500 reward is being offered by police investigating after a child was hit by a stolen moped in Brighton.

Nine-year-old Logan Dore was knocked off his scooter in Whitehawk Road at about 12:15 BST on Sunday.

The rider and passenger sped off, leaving him with serious head injuries.

Sussex Police are now offering the reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

A film based on the real-life murder of a teenage gamer highlights the risks children face online.

Breck Bednar, 14, was groomed before being lured to his death by Lewis Daynes in 2014.

The impact of social isolation and loneliness and the services available to help combat it have been discussed at a meeting at Kent County Council.

Social isolation and loneliness was put in the national public health agenda when an independent commission was set up in memory of murdered MP, Jo Cox.

Members of the Kent & Medway NHS Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) and specialists discussed available services in the county for sufferers. The STP commissions primary care services such as general practice on behalf of the eight Clinical Commissioning Groups in Kent.

One Charity, Red Zebra which links health and community groups through social prescribing, described how the organisation provides a service so GPs can refer their patients to community groups or volunteering opportunities.

However Stephanie Holt-Castle, head of Countryside, Leisure and Sport at Kent County Council claimed not all GPs are convinced by social prescribing.

She said: "Some GPs are absolutely confident, as long as there's well trained interventionists in there who happen to do the social prescriptions.

"Other GPs and CCGs want to see the clinical evidence as to why it would definitely benefit that patient - that's the challenge."

A partner at Mote Medical practice in Maidstone, Dr Zishan Syed, said this is because doctors practise "evidence-based medicine" due to legal reasons. He said: "GPs practise evidence-based medicine as this is the standard that British law expects them to follow."

Image source, Press Association

Kate Kinsella
BBC Weather

Dan Maclaren
BBC Live reporter

Gracie Maddox spent two days in a coma and suffered life-changing injuries following a crash in Dartford.

Her family say they're determined to help ensure the school run is safer for other children in future and want lower speed limits near schools.

Image source, Getty Images

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Chichester Observer, external: MP seeks ‘urgent reassurance’ over Velo South

Kent Live, external: Rochester mum shares shocking pictures of huge bite mark and scratches left on toddler's cheek

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Eastbourne Herald:, external Parking free-for-all in Eastbourne to end this week

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Sussex Express, external: Community rallies for funeral of unidentified woman found near Birling Gap

Worthing Herald, external: High Court approves grandmother’s Arundel Bypass challenge

Hastings Observer, external: Hastings bereaved mother nominated for Pride of Britain award

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Hamish Mureddu-Reid
BBC News Online, South East

The death of a man who was found in a Kent street is being treated as suspicious, Kent Police said.

The man's body was found on the Rochester side of the High Street bridge at about 07:25 BST on Tuesday, a police spokesman said.

He was found with a leg injury and pronounced dead at the scene.

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

Fifty years ago Kent and Sussex suffered some of its worst flooding in a century.