News July - August 2025
Published in news · Sunday 31 Aug 2025 · 6:30
09 July 2025 - Hartley Parish Council: Cricket
NAGHCC said showers in pavilion are working now. They are struggling for players and also mention they have asked the fire brigade if they would like to train at Manor Field so the square can be watered that way.
Hartley Parish Council
NAGHCC said showers in pavilion are working now. They are struggling for players and also mention they have asked the fire brigade if they would like to train at Manor Field so the square can be watered that way.
Hartley Parish Council
09 July 2025 - Hartley Parish Council: Football
(1) Parking issues improving but congestion reported on Mondays because of the large number of hirers using the pavilion and field. (2) Following a complaint from a local resident about the noise and parking, NAG FC given retrospective permission to use Chantry Avenue on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings provided they are considerate about parking.
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Parking issues improving but congestion reported on Mondays because of the large number of hirers using the pavilion and field. (2) Following a complaint from a local resident about the noise and parking, NAG FC given retrospective permission to use Chantry Avenue on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings provided they are considerate about parking.
Hartley Parish Council
09 July 2025 - Hartley Parish Council: Billings Hill Shaw
Unsafe cherry tree to be removed for £300. Council also accepted quote of £1,400 to fell two ash trees with die back. Council to look at scheme to plant fruit trees.
Hartley Parish Council
Unsafe cherry tree to be removed for £300. Council also accepted quote of £1,400 to fell two ash trees with die back. Council to look at scheme to plant fruit trees.
Hartley Parish Council
09 July 2025 - Hartley Parish Council: Gorse Wood
Tree by property in Porchester Close to be reduced by 25 per cent and two dead ash trees to be removed. At full council of 14/7/25 it transpired the wrong tree was checked, the one the resident mentioned the tree surgeon said was OK, resident told they can cut back overhanging branches to their boundary at their expense.
Hartley Parish Council
Tree by property in Porchester Close to be reduced by 25 per cent and two dead ash trees to be removed. At full council of 14/7/25 it transpired the wrong tree was checked, the one the resident mentioned the tree surgeon said was OK, resident told they can cut back overhanging branches to their boundary at their expense.
Hartley Parish Council
09 July 2025 - Hartley Parish Council: Manor Field
(1) More water hygeine works, including converting toilets to run from rising mains. (2) Works on showers to cost £490.
Hartley Parish Council
(1) More water hygeine works, including converting toilets to run from rising mains. (2) Works on showers to cost £490.
Hartley Parish Council
09 July 2025 - Hartley Parish Council: Allotments
Inspection found 2 plots unworked, also some issues of overgrown vegetation, broken fence and damaged water pipe. Quotations to be obtained for necessary works.
Hartley Parish Council
Inspection found 2 plots unworked, also some issues of overgrown vegetation, broken fence and damaged water pipe. Quotations to be obtained for necessary works.
Hartley Parish Council
14 July 2025 - Hartley Parish Council: Parish Office
(1) Problems with back up hard drives resolved. IT advisor suggested switching to cloud backup. Council at meeting 8/9/25 agreed to this at £5.20 per month. (2) Monthly staff consultation meetings to be instituted with chairman, vice-chairman, clerk, assistant clerk and Clerk's assistant.
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Problems with back up hard drives resolved. IT advisor suggested switching to cloud backup. Council at meeting 8/9/25 agreed to this at £5.20 per month. (2) Monthly staff consultation meetings to be instituted with chairman, vice-chairman, clerk, assistant clerk and Clerk's assistant.
Hartley Parish Council
14 July 2025 - Hartley Parish Council: Payments
Payments of £14,958 for July were approved. This included £334 for dog bin emptying, £300 to remove cherry tree at Billings Hill Shaw, £9,713 for pay and pension contributions.
Hartley Parish Council
Payments of £14,958 for July were approved. This included £334 for dog bin emptying, £300 to remove cherry tree at Billings Hill Shaw, £9,713 for pay and pension contributions.
Hartley Parish Council
15 July 2025 - Kent victims lose £515k to courier fraud by scammers posing as police officers or bank staff
In past year 63 reported incidents in Kent of people falling victim to fake officials. Further cases of attempted scams which failed include case from Longfield.
Kent Messenger
In past year 63 reported incidents in Kent of people falling victim to fake officials. Further cases of attempted scams which failed include case from Longfield.
Kent Messenger
22 July 2025 - Longfield Parish Council: Whitehill Road
Member of the public reported speeding on road. PC replied that this is not borne out by KCC data, but to report any they become aware of.
Longfield Parish Council
Member of the public reported speeding on road. PC replied that this is not borne out by KCC data, but to report any they become aware of.
Longfield Parish Council
22 July 2025 - Longfield Parish Council: Allotments
(1) Ivy at Nurstead Lane encroaching on neighbouring property, PC to get quotes for its removal. (2) Fly tipping at Whitehill Road
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Ivy at Nurstead Lane encroaching on neighbouring property, PC to get quotes for its removal. (2) Fly tipping at Whitehill Road
Longfield Parish Council
22 July 2025 - Longfield Parish Council: Play Areas
The 4 areas had a safety inspection by Playsafety Limited at a cost of £389.
Longfield Parish Council
The 4 areas had a safety inspection by Playsafety Limited at a cost of £389.
Longfield Parish Council
31 July 2025 - Hartley Crime Report: July
Criminal Damage - 4 (Gorse Way, Porchester Close, Billings Hill Shaw, Quakers Close)
E-Watch
Criminal Damage - 4 (Gorse Way, Porchester Close, Billings Hill Shaw, Quakers Close)
E-Watch
31 July 2025 - How Kent's councils could look after 'devolution revolution'
The government wishes to replace the two tier system of 16 councils in Kent with 3 or 4 unitary councils. Kent County Council published their proposals for 3 unitaries. Longfield would be in a North (Dartford - Swale) group while Hartley and New Ash Green would fall into a west group of Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells. Final proposals have to be before the government by November with the new authorities going live in April 2028.
Gravesend & Dartford Messenger
The government wishes to replace the two tier system of 16 councils in Kent with 3 or 4 unitary councils. Kent County Council published their proposals for 3 unitaries. Longfield would be in a North (Dartford - Swale) group while Hartley and New Ash Green would fall into a west group of Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells. Final proposals have to be before the government by November with the new authorities going live in April 2028.
Gravesend & Dartford Messenger
01 August 2025 - Evolution Power removes BESS from solar farm scheme for land between Ridley and New Ash Green
The plans have been modified by removing the proposed Battery Energy Storage System [Additional information - a BESS would allow them to store power on site and then release it to the Grid at times of peak demand]. Local opposition group dismissed this as a "rebranding exercise".
Dartford Messenger
The plans have been modified by removing the proposed Battery Energy Storage System [Additional information - a BESS would allow them to store power on site and then release it to the Grid at times of peak demand]. Local opposition group dismissed this as a "rebranding exercise".
Dartford Messenger
07 August 2025 - Government allows 245 acre solar farm
The Planning Inspectorate has upheld the appeal from RES to build 100,000 panels on land at Speedgate Farm, between Mussenden Lane and the M20 at Fawkham after Sevenoaks Council had reclassified the area as Grey Belt [additional note: presumably this would be following new planning guidance issued by the Department for Communities Housing and Local Governemnt in Feburary 2025]. The application says it will generate 49.9 MW of electricity, enough to power 22,500 homes. [Additional note: RES's website says the 22,500 figure is based on UK average annual consumption of 3,239 KWh, however Data from the Department for Energy and Net Zero for 2023 says that average annual consumption for the 7,093 metered properties in the DA3 area was much higher at 4,213 KWh]
Gravesend & Dartford Messenger
The Planning Inspectorate has upheld the appeal from RES to build 100,000 panels on land at Speedgate Farm, between Mussenden Lane and the M20 at Fawkham after Sevenoaks Council had reclassified the area as Grey Belt [additional note: presumably this would be following new planning guidance issued by the Department for Communities Housing and Local Governemnt in Feburary 2025]. The application says it will generate 49.9 MW of electricity, enough to power 22,500 homes. [Additional note: RES's website says the 22,500 figure is based on UK average annual consumption of 3,239 KWh, however Data from the Department for Energy and Net Zero for 2023 says that average annual consumption for the 7,093 metered properties in the DA3 area was much higher at 4,213 KWh]
Gravesend & Dartford Messenger
07 August 2025 - Second Nursery in same chain shuts
Abacus Nursery in New Barn closes on 23 July, following critical Ofsted report.
Gravesend & Dartford Messenger
Abacus Nursery in New Barn closes on 23 July, following critical Ofsted report.
Gravesend & Dartford Messenger
13 August 2025 - Hartley Parish Council: Football
For next season Hartley de Sales FC require 1 11 x 11 yard pitch, NAG FC need two pitches 11 x 11 and 9 x 9. Hartley de Sales asked about extra grass cutting, told OK so long as they pay for it. HdeS also asked about using the toilets on Monday training days, told the hall hirer had problems of dog walkers coming in to use the toilets then, so the club will need to speak to the hirers.
Hartley Parish Council
For next season Hartley de Sales FC require 1 11 x 11 yard pitch, NAG FC need two pitches 11 x 11 and 9 x 9. Hartley de Sales asked about extra grass cutting, told OK so long as they pay for it. HdeS also asked about using the toilets on Monday training days, told the hall hirer had problems of dog walkers coming in to use the toilets then, so the club will need to speak to the hirers.
Hartley Parish Council
13 August 2025 - Hartley Parish Council: Cricket
Manor Field pavilion showers to be reopened following negative legionella test. Club said they had people who could advise on plumbing, PC accepted offer. NAGHCC to make good spike damage to pavilion from away teams.
Hartley Parish Council
Manor Field pavilion showers to be reopened following negative legionella test. Club said they had people who could advise on plumbing, PC accepted offer. NAGHCC to make good spike damage to pavilion from away teams.
Hartley Parish Council
13 August 2025 - Hartley Parish Council: Manor Field
Two dangerous trees by car park removed at cost of £80. Overhanging trees on unregistered land by entrance to be crown lifted at cost of £400.
Hartley Parish Council
Two dangerous trees by car park removed at cost of £80. Overhanging trees on unregistered land by entrance to be crown lifted at cost of £400.
Hartley Parish Council
13 August 2025 - Hartley Parish Council: Longfield Hill
Network Rail have repaired damaged fence.
Hartley Parish Council
Network Rail have repaired damaged fence.
Hartley Parish Council
13 August 2025 - Hartley Parish Council: Playgrounds
List of minor works handed to Routine Maintenance Contractor for action at all 3 playgrounds. Replacement swing seat costing £125 bought for Woodland Avenue.
Hartley Parish Council
List of minor works handed to Routine Maintenance Contractor for action at all 3 playgrounds. Replacement swing seat costing £125 bought for Woodland Avenue.
Hartley Parish Council
29 August 2025 - Cafe Lounge opens at former Fleur de The site in Rochester High Street, bringing an international flavour to the town
Second branch for Café Lounge, original in Camer Parade, Meopham. Bar manager "already has ample experience in the catering trade, having worked at the family’s Turkish restaurant, Efsane, in Longfield"
Medway Messenger
Second branch for Café Lounge, original in Camer Parade, Meopham. Bar manager "already has ample experience in the catering trade, having worked at the family’s Turkish restaurant, Efsane, in Longfield"
Medway Messenger
31 August 2025 - Longfield Crime Report: August
Theft from Vehicle - 1 (Whitehill Road); Criminal Damage - 1 (Main Road); Doorstep Theft - 1 (Bradbrook Drive)
E-Watch
Theft from Vehicle - 1 (Whitehill Road); Criminal Damage - 1 (Main Road); Doorstep Theft - 1 (Bradbrook Drive)
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