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Catch up with all the latest news from across the county with Kristin Hawthorne.
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00:00Hello and welcome to Kent Tonight Live on KMTV.
00:27I'm Kristin Hawthorne and here are your top stories on Monday the 22nd of September.
00:33On the front line of abuse, KMTV reporters face intimidation as anti-immigration protests
00:39sweep Kent and carrying hope through the county.
00:52The symbol for mental wellbeing makes its first ever tour through Kent and Medway.
00:56It's an encouragement to people, a signal to people to talk openly.
01:02Giving wings to growth, new runway plans at Gatwick could mean more economic opportunities
01:07for the county.
01:09We asked a lot of questions around how this might impact the living standards of people
01:14in the county as well as obviously the business opportunities.
01:15First tonight, KMTV reporters have been the subject of abuse during anti-immigration protests
01:33in Canterbury and Fabersham.
01:35Some of these incidents have been circulating on social media, with senior reform figures
01:40at Kent County Council liking the posts, though these have since been rescinded.
01:44Local democracy reporter Olly Leader explains what he experienced at the weekend and warning,
01:49this piece does contain strong language, so viewer discretion is advised.
01:56It's not every day someone waves used toilet paper in your face when you're simply approaching
02:08them to get their point of view.
02:10We're not going to allow him to manipulate this.
02:13Or that incident getting tens of thousands of views on Facebook.
02:19But the abuse I received from Harry Hilden, one of the principal organisers behind a wave
02:25of anti-immigration protests in the county, is far from a unique experience for me or my
02:32colleagues.
02:33You never trust the lefty with your case!
02:36Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!
02:40Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!
02:50This is just a snapshot of what covering the march in Canterbury over the weekend was
02:57like!
02:58A result of being singled out early in the day by organisers.
03:03Something which made reflecting the views of demonstrators there incredibly difficult.
03:09All these mainstream media are so utterly woke.
03:11The backlash had started online a few weeks ago after we reported about hundreds descending
03:18on the streets of Fathersham.
03:20But this new video circulating has been widely shared and even liked by two senior figures
03:28within Kent County Council, with Chairman Richard Palmer claiming he hadn't watched
03:34the full clip, while Peter Osborne, the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, has been
03:41reached for comment.
03:42It was completely and utterly outrageous because it looks like an endorsement of that behaviour
03:49and I saw in the Kent Online article that Richard Palmer said he made a mistake and okay we all
03:55make mistakes but if you hold an important position like Chairman of Kent County Council, you need
04:00to be careful about the social media content you interact with.
04:04Kent County Council buildings have been at the heart of protests in Canterbury and Fathersham.
04:12Demonstrators at the weekend were marching to Connor's house, which looks after unaccompanied
04:17asylum seeking children.
04:19I just find it absolutely incredible that any person, any ounce of compassion would march
04:26on a children's home.
04:27You know, I find it almost astonishing that anyone would even do that.
04:35Just teenage boys in this home, not anything else.
04:40Would you much guess you're on teenage children?
04:43Absolutely disgraceful.
04:44The leader of the city council was just one of more than a hundred counter-protesters organised
04:51by Stand Up To Racism, though this was far from the only push back.
04:56While protesters chanted in the Cathedral City, a wave of deflagging was underway in Fathersham.
05:03Where colleagues also faced intimidation.
05:10Do you ever look at the camera and what goes that wide?
05:11Oh, no, not the cameras.
05:12I'll toe punch you if she's anywhere near me.
05:13She was filming anyone.
05:14She was smiling.
05:15Is she allowed to have me just take pictures of me?
05:16She had to go ask for me, isn't she?
05:17Poke up your arse.
05:18And yes, I'll be honest, as a woman in her mid-fifties, I felt anxious about coming over here today,
05:33but felt really strongly that we need to be visible.
05:35We absolutely need to be visible.
05:37It's not going to go away.
05:39After a summer of discontent, the anger that I witnessed on Saturday didn't come as a surprise.
05:46Caught between two increasingly polarised worldviews, it's easy to see how a journalist like myself
05:53can so easily be caught in the crossfire.
05:57Oli Lieder in Canterbury.
06:01Well, our Channel Director joins us now to tell us your thoughts.
06:05So, I mean, we've seen what happened to Oli there at the weekend,
06:08but to start us off, can you just tell me your reaction to this?
06:11Well, first of all, Kristen, we've been broadcasting for eight years.
06:16I've been a journalist for 20 years, and very rarely do I have to sit down and talk about things like this.
06:22But we really are in an unprecedented time.
06:25I think Oli did a brilliant job.
06:27He did us proud as an organisation.
06:30He was doing his very best to get opinions from everybody at the demonstration.
06:37And you could clearly see that in the footage that he was actually asking the protester for his opinion.
06:43And, you know, it's quite clear that they didn't want to engage.
06:47I'm here to talk to you as the Channel Director of KMTV rather than a journalist at this point.
06:54And it's about me giving some reaction to the treatment of our employees and our reporters.
07:00I think it's abhorrent. I think it was absolutely disgusting.
07:03No one, no matter what job you're doing, should anyone have to face that kind of abuse.
07:11And that's what it is, verging on something more than abuse and verbal abuse.
07:17And also the other footage we saw, which was a piece that you were out shooting.
07:22You shouldn't have had to have dealt with that as well.
07:24But, yeah, it's a really, really difficult time at the moment.
07:28And all we can do is, as per our Ofcom licence, we will do our best to report everything that's going on in the county of Kent.
07:39These are very, these protests are very, very prevalent.
07:42They're very, very important to the people who are attending them.
07:45And we will do our best to do it from an unbiased position, because that's exactly what we're here to do.
07:50If anyone's ever got a problem with the way that we're reporting, they have the channels to go through to complain through Ofcom.
07:56And you can find their details on their website.
08:00And then just quickly, do you think that this sort of intimidation is going to continue?
08:05Unfortunately, I do.
08:07We have seen, I would say, particularly in the last year or so, not necessarily straight down to politics, but, you know, maybe it's public mood.
08:18It's been a really difficult time.
08:20I don't want to, you know, excuse anybody for the way that they act, but we've had incidents where reporters have been spat at on the street for just doing innocuous stories.
08:31And it is becoming a really difficult job to do.
08:34But our reporters are trained to report in the most safe way possible.
08:39And we'll continue to do that.
08:41Thank you so much.
08:42And yeah, like you said, we will continue to cover any instances that happen in the future.
08:47But now the first known symbol for mental wellbeing was carried through the county today.
08:52Kenton Medway was just one of 20 stops on the Baton of Hope's UK tour.
08:56The tour has started in Medway, making its way through to Margate, carried by Baton bearers.
09:01Those involved hope the day leaves a lasting message.
09:05Our reporter Daisy Page went down to the Medway starting point to see what it means to those carrying it.
09:11Today, hope has travelled through the county with the only known symbol of mental wellbeing being carried through Kent and Medway for the first time.
09:19It's really an encouragement to people, a signal to people to talk openly.
09:25Because for generations, suicide and suicide prevention has been a subject that is very much swept under the carpet, sometimes even ignored.
09:34And I think, you know, bereaved families, bereaved loved ones in particular are saying enough is enough.
09:40We can't go on like this.
09:42The Baton has travelled from Medway through Maidstone and Canterbury to Margate.
09:46And it's being carried through the county to spread the message of hope.
09:50Really, it's taken away the stigma of talking about these things.
09:54It's actually putting it out in the streets, letting people see that actually, you know, we need to talk about suicide.
10:00We don't need to hide it. We need to be really, really open with it.
10:04And we really need to get people engaged.
10:07And also, you know, from my point of view, to let our young people know that we are aware.
10:13We are aware, we're there to support and we want you to talk to us.
10:17Each person bearing the baton carries it with their own story to share.
10:21Mental health and suicide are really taboo.
10:24People still aren't talking about them.
10:26They're only really things that are considered once it's too late, rather than before we get to that point.
10:31So it's really important for me to raise awareness on her behalf to say it wasn't something that just happened.
10:40Quite a lot built to this and it's the most preventable thing we've got.
10:43So we need to all work together to stop this from happening to more parents.
10:49For me, it's for young people. Young people really suffering in silence.
10:53But for many, it's not just about the day, but the lasting message.
10:57And for the work around mental health to continue in the community.
11:01All people deserve to feel a sense of hope and spirit of goodness.
11:06And many people get challenged in life through many different circumstances and situations.
11:12And I think that it's really important that we recognise that there's always hope.
11:17So for me, working in Medway, working with young people in schools and working with children in primary schools,
11:25bringing hope is a massive part of what we're about.
11:29Despite starting its day here in Medway, the Batons made its way down to the dreamland
11:34where it will be having the evening of hope before setting off for the rest of its UK tour.
11:38Daisy Page for KMTV.
11:40If you have been affected by the issues raised in the report,
11:43the Samaritans can be reached on 116 123.
11:48More after this break. Bye-bye.
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15:08Hello and welcome back to Kent Tonight Live on KMTV.
15:12Now, the government has approved Gatwick's Airport's £2.2 billion expansion to convert its emergency northern runway into a fully operational second runway.
15:22It's expected that 100,000 extra flights will run every year, creating 14,000 jobs and add roughly 1 billion annually to the economy.
15:31But what will this mean for residents in Kent?
15:33Our reporter Holly Spires joins me now from Gatwick.
15:37Okay, Holly, lovely of you to join us.
15:41What is the current status of the expansion plan?
15:45So the UK government has given provisional approval to Gatwick's plan to make its northern runway into a second full runway.
15:53Now, this approval is conditional.
15:55Gatwick has to meet certain requirements, especially about reducing noise, increasing public transport usage and keeping a check on emissions.
16:03And now a final decision is expected to be in October of this year.
16:08And how have environmental groups responded to the proposal? I can imagine they might have some queries about it.
16:14Yes, so many environmental groups are strongly opposed to the expansion.
16:21Their main concerns are that the expansion will increase air pollution and carbon emissions,
16:25undermining efforts to meet climate targets and noise pollution for people living near the airport
16:31and road traffic congestion, especially if more people drive to the airport.
16:35Now, I spoke to Liz Lockwood earlier, deputy chairman of the group Cagna.
16:40And so you're pretty much adding 50% of air traffic on top of the existing amount of air traffic.
16:48So for people living under that flight path, it is just going to be a continuous level of noise,
16:57going from 45 flights per hour to up to 75 flights per hour flying overhead.
17:04And so there's no let up. Even in Edenbridge, when a plane flies over, you have to stop thinking.
17:14You do a sort of a mental block to let the plane fly over and then you can pick up again and carry on talking.
17:22And so what has the response been from communities surrounding the area?
17:26I'm aware that you've talked to some other people as well.
17:29Yes, so local councils have voiced concerns, especially around noise, air quality, traffic and how the extra infrastructure like roads, rail, etc. will handle the increase.
17:41Some councils don't fully oppose to the project though, but say they will only support it if there are strong protections and mitigations.
17:48And local residents and community and environment groups are worried about the quality of life, like pollution, noise and just general life surrounding the airport to be honest.
17:58And I spoke to Tudor Price today and he voiced his concerns about the project.
18:03We have been supporting the expansion of Gatwick for a number of years now.
18:08We were heavily involved in the very early project and a lot of these sort of consultations that took place.
18:15And we asked a lot of questions around how this might impact the living standards of people in the county, as well as obviously the business opportunities.
18:22And on balance, we felt that, you know, there were some sort of positives that would outweigh any sort of disbenefits in the early stage.
18:30We understand, you know, some of the concerns.
18:32One of the things that we were quite keen to have input on was around the expansion timetable.
18:38And we work very closely with Gatwick to ensure that their plans involve improvements to the road network, to the rail network as part of their development plan, so that any increase in traffic volume to the site will obviously be mitigated by these improvements.
18:55Thank you, Holly. We will follow that story as it continues.
18:58Next, a Kent MP has been appointed the Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Cabinet Office.
19:04Neshaba Khan MP for Gillingham and Reynum started her position a little over a week ago and announced the appointment on Facebook, saying she was looking forward to supporting the government and delivering better public services for Gillingham and Reynum.
19:16Overtaking the position from Conservative Reynum Christie, who held the seat for 14 years, Neshaba Khan spoke to us earlier about her plans for the future.
19:26Many people will know about the challenges that Gillingham faces.
19:29So we've been doing a lot of work, myself working alongside the councillors, have been in lots of work around what we can do to improve Gillingham.
19:38And there's been a steady decline in Gillingham over decades, particularly under the previous Conservative administration and the previous government.
19:45And so therefore, we've really got to turn the tide.
19:48And part of doing that is making sure that we've got good quality housing in our community.
19:52It's a huge part of the Gillingham community and we've got to get it right.
19:56We've got a huge housing crisis in this country.
19:58This government is doing everything it can to try and tackle that, but it's not going to happen overnight.
20:03Now, Fanit Health campaigner Betty Renz has passed away aged 93.
20:08Betty was instrumental in campaigning to keep the emergency facilities at the QE QM Hospital, which opened in the 1960s.
20:15The hospital was later visited by King Charles, who honoured Betty for her efforts.
20:20She was also an accomplished jazz musician, a fundraiser for the RNLI and a keen sailor.
20:26Her activism influenced policy and her family have described her as a remarkable woman, adding that she had a terrific sense of humour and energy right up until her last days.
20:35A public jazz funeral will be held on Thursday, October 2nd.
20:39Now, don't forget you can keep up to date with all our latest stories across Kent by logging onto our website, kmtv.co.uk.
20:47There you'll find all the reports, including this one, about an app launched in Maidstone that hopes to make people feel safer when they're walking home.
20:54Never felt unsafe walking home, or even through a built-up area.
20:59A new app from the One Maidstone Business Improvement District might be able to fix that.
21:04WalkSafe, a joint collaboration between One Maidstone, Kent Police and SwitchU Services, is trying to make Maidstone a safer environment for all.
21:14The WalkSafe app was predominantly made to tackle violence against women and girls, but the app is for everyone to download.
21:21Anyone using the town centre, whether that's walking to and from school, commuting, or using it as part of our night-time economy venue.
21:29The app is straightforward and easy to use. Open up the map and it will show you safe spaces, from banks to independent businesses, all along your journey home.
21:39A safe space scheme has already been in operation across Kent, but utilising the app WalkSafe, which covers many areas across the UK,
21:48now allows these places in Maidstone to be seen and easily accessed by the wider public.
21:54We're always trying to look to improve the local area, local community and safety initiatives.
21:59And it all spiralled from introducing safe spaces in the Maidstone town centre.
22:03And my big question was, well, if we have safe spaces, how do people know about them?
22:08And that's when I found the WalkSafe app, and therefore we've introduced it to make it easier for people to access safe spaces, as well as have a safe journey home.
22:17One Maidstone represents the businesses of Maidstone. So we're a business improvement district.
22:21So everything that we deliver is fundamentally financed and on behalf of the businesses of Maidstone.
22:28So walking the WalkSafe app, for example, with Kent Police is an initiative and an example of one of our partnership pieces of work.
22:37We work consistently with Kent Police on a number of initiatives.
22:41Personal safety, particularly for women, remains a pertinent issue, with many young girls feeling unsafe walking home at night.
22:49I try to avoid going out at night if I can. And if I do, then I go out with like a group of people or there's definitely more than just me going out at night.
22:58Every time I like walk by myself at night, I always look behind me to make sure like if it's dark, like if it's dark and I look behind me, I make sure no one is there.
23:08I think it's fine. It's safe here walking alone home. But sometimes when you are with friends, it's better, like you feel more safe.
23:18In July 2025 alone, Kent Police reported 3,691 incidents of antisocial behaviour and 6,500 counts of violence and sexual offences in the wider Maidstone area.
23:33We can only hope that the new WalkSafe app in Maidstone can start to reduce some of these figures.
23:39This is Megan Shaw for KMTV in Maidstone.
23:44Now, today marks the third day of the Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference, with party members gathering in Bournemouth.
23:51As the main opposition party in Kent County, the Lib Dems hope to outline their vision on pressing topics for Kent voters, such as immigration and debates around the national flag.
24:01I'm joined now by our reporter Alfie Rowe, who's been following the event.
24:05So you have been following this conference. How's it going so far?
24:08Well, spirits are high and turnout is strong. And there's reason for optimism with the party.
24:14They won 72 MPs in last year's general election. And at the local level, in the May local elections, they became the official opposition to Reform UK in Kent County Council.
24:24Now, the next test will be whether they can build on this momentum going forward.
24:28There's growing concern that the party needs to move away from it, from their leader, Sir Ed Davies' stunts, which he does in order to attract more attention from the public,
24:37and towards more clear policies and what they stand for going forward.
24:41And what are those specific policy areas that the Lib Dems want to focus on?
24:46Well, immigration is a key focus, of course. Sir Ed Davies has toughened his rhetoric, promising to, quote, stop the boats.
24:54Specific proposals include setting up additional asylum processing centres to address the backlog and allowing asylum seekers to work while their asylum claims are being processed.
25:04The aim here is to reduce taxpayer costs associated with asylum hotels.
25:09Now, what does this mean for Kent residents on the ground?
25:12Well, I spoke to Anthony Hook, leader of the Lib Dems in Kent earlier, and he explained how these immigration policies would look in practice.
25:19That will probably deter people who haven't got a good grounds for applications.
25:24It also mean that people who have got a good application could be involved in the community and can settle more quickly.
25:33That will mean, for instance, that people with a good application for asylum won't need to wait in a hotel.
25:39That application can be decided and then they can get a job and become part of our community.
25:45OK, and then are there any other topics being covered at the conference that Kent audiences should be aware of?
25:52Yeah, a major focus is countering the growing electoral threat of ReformUK across the UK, including in Kent, where they run the council.
25:59Anthony Hook is speaking at the conference today about his experience leading the opposition against reform in Kent.
26:04And on this topic, at the national level, Ed Davies refused to rule out coalition with Labour.
26:08Another key topic is the issue of the national flags.
26:11Kent has obviously been involved in this big movement of late to raise the flag, Operation Raise the Colours, pardon me.
26:16And because this has been supported by some organisations associated with the far right, at the beginning of the conference,
26:22ex Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said the UK needs to reclaim these flags from groups which, quote, seek to divide and destroy.
26:29I also spoke to Anthony Hook on this topic.
26:32We unfortunately don't have the time for that, but we might come back to it just a wee bit later.
26:36That's all we have time for now, but don't go anywhere.
26:39As coming up, we'll be taking a look at a lot of other things like the weather.
26:43We'll see you in a few minutes.
27:09Hope see you in a few minutes.
27:14Hope you are on Lindsay also standing here.
27:15Thank you very much.
27:16We'll see you next time.
27:18Hope you are.
27:19Hope you are...
27:21You're ready to come.
27:23...
27:25So...
27:29Yes, c'mon Tampa, look at Mr.
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30:07On the frontline of abuse, KMTV reporters face intimidation as América Impossible protests sweep Kent.
30:13Carrying hope through the county, the symbol for mental wellbeing, makes its first ever tour.
30:15sweep kent carrying hope through the county the symbol for mental well-being makes its first ever
30:20tour through kent and medway and giving wings to growth new runway plans at gatwick could mean
30:28more economic opportunities for the county but first kmtv kmtv reporters have been the subject
30:35of abuse during anti-immigration protests in canterbury and in faversham some of these
30:40incidents have been circulating on social media with senior reform figures at kent county council
30:45liking the posts though these have since been rescinded local democracy reporter ollie leader
30:50explains what he experienced at the weekend but warning this piece does contain strong language
30:55so if your discretion is advised yeah you're saying some use toilet paper that's my gift to use
31:03would you like to accept it's not every day someone waves use toilet paper in your face
31:09when you're simply approaching them to get their point of view
31:15or that incident getting tens of thousands of views on facebook but the abuse i received from harry
31:24hilden one of the principal organizers behind a wave of anti-immigration protests in the county
31:31is far from a unique experience for me or my colleagues
31:52this is just a snapshot of what covering the march in canterbury
31:58over the weekend was like a result of being singled out early in the day by organizers something
32:05which made reflecting the views of demonstrators there incredibly difficult all these mainstream
32:12medias are so utterly woke the backlash had started online a few weeks ago after we reported about
32:19hundreds descending on the streets of faversham but this new video circulating has been widely shared
32:27and even liked by two senior figures within kent county council with chairman richard palmer claiming
32:36he hadn't watched the full clip while peter osborne the cabinet member for highways and transport
32:43has been reached for comment it was completely and utterly outrageous because it looks like an
32:49endorsement of that behavior and i saw in the kent online article that richard palmer said he
32:55made a mistake and okay we all make mistakes but uh if you hold an important position like chairman
33:00of kent council you need to be careful about the social media content you you interact with kent
33:07county council buildings have been at the heart of protests in canterbury and faversham demonstrators
33:15at the weekend were marching to connor's house which looks after unaccompanied asylum seeking children
33:21i just find it absolutely incredible that any person with any ounce of compassion would march on a
33:28children's home you know i find it almost astonishing that anyone would even do that
33:34the leader of the city council was just one of more than a hundred counter protesters organized by stand
33:54up to racism though this was far from the only pushback while protesters chanted in the cathedral
34:01city a wave of deflagging was underway in faversham
34:10where colleagues also faced intimidation
34:13yeah with the camera what goes that wide oh no not the camera it's
34:17i'll toe punch you if she's anywhere near me
34:21she's smiling you should be asking is she allowed to have just take pictures of people
34:27poke up your ass
34:28and yes i'll be honest as a woman in her mid 50s i felt anxious about coming over here today but
34:36felt really strongly that we need to be visible we absolutely need to be visible it's not going to go
34:40away after a summer of discontent the anger that i witnessed on saturday didn't come as a surprise
34:48caught between two increasingly polarized world views it's easy to see how a journalist like myself
34:56can so easily be caught in the crossfire ollie leader in canterbury
35:04you can go to kent online if you want to find out more about that report
35:08but moving on to the first known symbol for mental well-being which was carried through the county today
35:13kenton medway was just one of 20 stops in the baton of hopes uk tour which has started in medway
35:18making its way through to market carried by baton bears those involved hope the day leaves a lasting
35:24message and our reporter daisy page went down to the medway starting point to see what it means to
35:28those carrying it today hope has traveled through the county with the only known symbol of mental
35:34well-being being carried through kent and medway for the first time an encouragement to people a signal
35:41to people to talk openly because for generations that suicide and suicide prevention has been a
35:48subject that is very much swept under the carpet sometimes even ignored and i think you know bereaved
35:54families bereaved loved ones in particular are saying enough is enough we can't go on like this
36:01the baton has traveled from medway through maidstone and canterbury to margate and it's being carried
36:06through the county to spread the message of hope really it's taking away the stigma of talking about
36:12these things it's actually putting it out in the streets letting people see that actually you know
36:17we need to talk about suicide we don't need to hide it we need to be really really open with it
36:23and we really need to get people engaged and also you know from my point of view to let our young
36:30people know that we are aware we're there to support and we want you to talk to us each
36:35person bearing the baton carries it with their own story to share mental health and suicide are
36:42really taboo people still aren't talking about them then only really things that are considered once
36:47it's too late rather than before we get to that point so it's really important for me to raise
36:53awareness on her behalf to say it wasn't it wasn't something that just happened quite a lot built to
37:00this and it's the most preventable thing we've got so we need to all work together to
37:06stop this from happening to more parents for me it's for young people young people really suffering
37:11in silence but for many it's not just about the day but the lasting message and for the work around
37:16mental health to continue in the community all people deserve to feel sense of hope and spirit
37:23of goodness and and many people get challenged in life through many different circumstances and
37:30situations and i think that it's really important that we recognize that there's always hope so for
37:36me you know working in medway working with young people in schools and working with children in
37:43primary schools bringing hope is a is a massive part of what we're about despite starting its day here
37:49in medway the batons made its way down to the dreamland where i'll be having the evening of hope
37:54before setting off for the rest of its uk tour daisy page for kmtv if you have been affected by the
38:00issues raised in the report the samaritans can be reached on 116 123
38:07now plans for 150 homes have been revealed to be built on the site of a former school
38:13in margate after it closed a decade ago the royal school for deaf children which
38:18dated back to the 1870s was demolished after the town after john town stand trust went into
38:25administration there were two attempts to reopen the institution however both failed and as a result
38:31thanet district council suggested that the land should be used for housing jeremono estates who
38:37made the plans stated that the scheme will provide a positive impact on the local area and the 13 acre
38:43site will also feature a community facility and a landscaped green space but now here's something you
38:49probably didn't expect tea can grow on the moon according to scientists at the university of kent
38:55it's not just science fiction a recent experiment has shown that tea plants can actually survive
39:01and even thrive in conditions similar to those found on the planet their findings suggest future
39:07astronauts could not only grow fresh food on the moon but might even enjoy a proper cuppa in space
39:12maizie walker joins me now to tell me more so maizie what's this all about then yeah so um the
39:18university of kent's scientists anna maria worth and dr sarah lopesco malone um and florence gran who you
39:28can see on the screen right now from left to right planted dr moore tea in soil made to mimic what was
39:37found on the moon and mars they also adjusted the light temperature and air to match the conditions
39:45of space it was a 30-day experiment that began two months ago and now the results are in the tea plants
39:53grew well in the moon like soil just as they would in regular earth soil from devon um but in mars like
40:00soil they didn't really grow at all um the research led by professor nigel mason and dr lope lopez
40:09go mollon um is being presented at a space farming workshop in solvakia and their team says their results
40:18suggest astronauts could one day grow tea in greenhouses on the moon giving future space
40:24settlers access to fresh food and maybe even a cuppa um i was out today in fact and got some reactions
40:31from some kent students actually didn't no no no clue what what i never knew that yeah so some very strong
40:44reactions you can see there um and on top of this i did ask these students what planet they'd like to
40:50make tea on and how would they do it it's gonna have to be mars so i can keep the robots accompanied
40:59we're gonna have a little tea time with the robots um so it's a mixture between uranus jupiter and mars
41:06but i'll choose mars without question probably mars because that's like the closest one to us now i
41:14didn't mean well us geography well usually this is a quite controversial but i put milk before water
41:21and everyone just calls me a bit of a weirdo but i think it tastes nice so uh kettle boil the water there
41:27and then take put the water in for the tea bag and then add milk afterwards once the tea settles basically
41:33some great reactions there but we'll see you in just a few minutes for more bye-bye
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45:25Our reporter Holly Spires joins me now from Gatwick.
45:28So can you tell us what the current status of the expansion plan is?
45:33Yes, so the UK government has given provisional approval to Gatwick's plan
45:38to make its northern standby runway into a second full runway.
45:43Now, this approval is conditional.
45:45Gatwick has to meet certain requirements, especially about reducing noise,
45:49increasing public transport usage and keeping a check on admissions.
45:52Now, a final decision is expected by October this year.
45:57And how have environmental groups responded to this proposal?
46:02So many environmental groups are strongly opposed to the decision.
46:07Their main concerns are that the expansion will increase air pollution and carbon emissions,
46:12undermining efforts to meet climate targets.
46:15Noise pollution for people living near the airport and road traffic congestion,
46:19especially if more people drive to the airport, which obviously a lot of people do.
46:24And I did speak to Liz Lockwood this morning, and she told me all about her,
46:29her opposite, she told me about her plans about the expansion.
46:34And so you're pretty much adding 50% of air traffic on top of the existing amount of air traffic.
46:43So for people living under that flight path, it is just going to be a continuous level of noise,
46:51going from 45 flights per hour to up to 75 flights per hour flying overhead.
46:58And so there's no let up.
47:03Even in Edenbridge, when a plane flies over, you have to stop thinking.
47:08You do a sort of a mental block to let the plane fly over,
47:14and then you can pick up again and carry on talking.
47:17And then what has the reaction been from the wider community and councillors?
47:23So a lot of the local councils have voiced concerns, especially around noise, air quality, traffic,
47:29and how the extra infrastructure, roads, rail, etc., will handle the increase.
47:34Some councils don't fully oppose the project, but say they will only support it
47:38if there are strong protections and mitigations, for example, noise, transport and environment.
47:43Local residents and community groups are worried about the quality of life,
47:48the noise, pollution, congestion, housing value and environmental harm.
47:53Now, I spoke to Tudor Price this morning about the issue.
47:56We have been supporting the expansion of GAPWIC for a number of years now.
48:01We were heavily involved in the very early project and a lot of the sort of consultations that took place.
48:08And we asked a lot of questions around how this might impact the living standards of people in the county,
48:14as well as obviously the business opportunities.
48:16And on balance, we felt that there were some sort of positives that would outweigh any sort of disbenefits in the early stage.
48:23We understand some of the concerns.
48:26One of the things that we were quite keen to have input on was around the expansion timetable.
48:31And we work very closely with GAPWIC to ensure that their plans involve improvements to the road network,
48:37to the rail network as part of their development plan,
48:40so that any increase in traffic volume to the site will obviously be mitigated by these improvements.
48:47Now, a dad from Reynham has been battling with a car dealership after revealing serious faults with a car he bought.
48:55Gary Faber bought a car online from the Hippo Motor Group for £22,000 on June the 10th in 2024.
49:02He researched the company and noted its good reviews.
49:05However, six days after his purchase, the engine management light came on.
49:09A back and forth dispute dragged on for more than a year,
49:13with Gary paying out thousands of pounds on repairs and reports by the company,
49:18despite the car being off the road and unusable.
49:22The group has now authorised the rejection of the vehicle after Kent Online got in contact.
49:27However, it will do so without accepting liability.
49:31We heard from him earlier.
49:33It's been very generic like that from the start, very non-committal.
49:38They won't accept any responsibility or say anything in any way, shape or form to offer any form of apology or acknowledgement.
49:49All they keep saying is stuff like that.
49:50We do thorough checks.
49:52And I don't doubt that at all.
49:55But as you've seen from evidence and stuff I've got,
49:58someone said to me a long time ago,
50:00when it first went in for diagnosis under their court sort of recommendation,
50:07he said they, you know, the sense of either been tampered with and patched up
50:13or they've not done their checks properly and not picked up upon it.
50:16One of the two.
50:17Next, work is underway to transform a bank into a SEND music school in Swanley.
50:24The specialist college, Superjam, Swanley College,
50:28will set up the site of the former NatWest building at the start of next year.
50:33David Court and Nick Stilwell launched the Post-16 music education provider in 2013
50:39and has since opened in places like Canterbury, Brighton and Wandsworth.
50:43David stated that all of their students have an educational health care plan
50:49and that mainstream education just didn't work for them
50:53because of how overwhelmed they got.
50:55The pair also set up the Superjam Foundation this year,
50:59a charity to help support and mentor young people with special educational needs.
51:04But now, don't forget you can keep up to date with all our latest stories across Kemp
51:08by logging on to our website, chemtv.co.uk.
51:11Though you'll find all the reports, including this one,
51:14about Dover District Council's multi-million pound regeneration plan.
51:20On the roof of this building site in the centre of Dover,
51:24celebrations are underway.
51:27With construction reaching the top floor, spirits are just as high.
51:31It's a monumental day, quite honestly.
51:33This is the topping out ceremony, not the culmination
51:37because obviously we haven't finished it just yet,
51:39but this is a great step forward to deliver
51:42a regeneration opportunity for the district,
51:45something that we can be rightfully proud of.
51:47Fitting its name, the Dover Beacon Redevelopment Plan
51:50hopes to create an inspiring hub for the local community.
51:54Upon completion, the four-story project
51:57will be a business, creative and education centre.
52:00With £20 million coming in from the government,
52:03Dover District Council promised it will bring £90 million
52:05in economic gain to the area.
52:08It's an opportunity for us to perhaps act as a conduit
52:12to bring people together, to look at how we can work digitally
52:16with our new studio that's going to be based here.
52:19We assembled a team that people were local as much as possible.
52:23The contractors are quite local
52:24and people really do want to do something good here.
52:28It's going to be so good for our students.
52:30Just standing here, looking at some of the classrooms,
52:32they're going to have a view of the sea
52:34and a view of Dover Castle.
52:37I mean, what more can you ask for?
52:38Really fantastic facilities.
52:40Although it's all smiles now,
52:42the regeneration of Kent's famous coastal town
52:44has not always been smooth sailing.
52:47It has had some major challenges
52:50in that the archaeology of the site,
52:52part of it was of international significance.
52:57So there was challenges there.
52:59There were challenges around it being very close
53:02to the river level and the flood.
53:04And equally, they had to sit in an historic town centre.
53:09It hasn't come without its challenges.
53:11It was the collaboration of the team
53:12that came up with plans to overcome those challenges.
53:17As the project remains on schedule,
53:20there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
53:22But with the building's completion expected in spring 2026,
53:27Dover's transformation is a work in progress.
53:31Alfie Rowe for KMTV in Dover.
53:35Now, as promised, it's time to take a look
53:37at the weather for the coming days.
53:38Tonight, we'll bring clear skies in the west
53:46with some clouds and showers in the east.
53:48Temperatures ranging from 9 to 13 degrees.
53:51Tomorrow morning, partly cloudy weather to greet the day
53:54with more light rain expected on the coast.
53:57Temperatures rising as well.
53:59Into the afternoon then, much of the same
54:01with rain getting heavier up in Margate
54:02and the sun clearing off, leaving clouds.
54:05On Wednesday, we've got 17 degrees, cloudy skies.
54:08Thursday, we've got 16 degrees, cloudy skies.
54:10And on Friday, we've got 17 degrees,
54:12the same as Wednesday.
54:14And now, a controversial piece of art in Canterbury
54:23has just been nominated
54:24for the Public Statues and Sculptures Association.
54:28Excellence in Public Sculpture category.
54:31The alluvia has sparked lots of opinions
54:33with some calling the piece disturbing
54:35whilst others have praised its beauty and function
54:37in supporting the River Star.
54:39Well, our community reporter, Henry Luck,
54:41joins me now to tell us a little bit about this.
54:43So, I mean, what is the alluvia?
54:45I did a piece about this last year, I believe,
54:47or earlier this year.
54:48Can you just explain to us the controversy and what it is?
54:51As you say, you covered this piece of art last year
54:55and it's drawn all sorts of opinions.
54:58Some people say it's amazing,
55:00but some people think that it's disturbing,
55:03mainly because they think that there's a woman
55:06at the bottom of the River Star.
55:09So, even, and there's even been concerns raised
55:13about the algae that's been forming around the statue,
55:17but the artist, Jason Taylor, has said
55:20that that's the beauty of it,
55:22that the alluvia is growing alongside the river.
55:28And, as you say, it has the important function.
55:32It's got all these sensors built in
55:34that feeds the river's quality
55:36and the speed back to the Canterbury City Council
55:39so they can do something about it,
55:41keep on top of it, make it look nice for everyone.
55:44And I assume this is part of the reason
55:46why it's been nominated.
55:47Yes, it is.
55:48In fact, Councillor Charlotte Cornell
55:52says that the piece is worthy of a vote
55:55because of its tragic beauty.
55:58Now, it's been shortlisted for excellence
56:01in public sculpture
56:02as part of the Public Statues and Sculpture Association.
56:07And voting is up now on their website
56:09and will be until midnight on Sunday, the 5th of October.
56:14Very exciting.
56:15And we will follow that story as it continues
56:17and if it wins, we'll certainly cover it.
56:19Thank you so much, Henry.
56:20Thank you for having me.
56:21Now, you've been watching Kent Tonight Live on KMTV,
56:24but there's more news made just for you
56:26at 8pm this evening, so don't go anywhere.
56:28We'll see you then.
56:29Thank you so much for joining.
56:30Bye-bye.
56:44Bye-bye.
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