West Kent Local NewsYour trusted source for local news and community updates
Council decisions, crime, planning rows and community life in Maidstone - covered as it happens.

Ancient woodland habitat in Maidstone has been damaged after trees were cut down, deadwood removed and vehicles driven across sensitive areas. Maidstone Borough Council says the damage threatens important wildlife habitats, including breeding areas for stag beetles.

A 17-year-old girl has died following a collision on Headcorn Road in Staplehurst. Two passengers were also injured, one critically. Kent Police are appealing for witnesses, CCTV and dashcam footage from the area.

Park Wood’s former Heather House site has been transformed into The Heathers, a new community centre with sports facilities, public space improvements and 11 new family homes.

Maidstone Borough Council is backing a farmer-led nature recovery project with an £87,600 grant to Kent Wildlife Trust, supporting work to restore rivers, wetlands and habitats across the Lower Beult catchment.

Kent Police have launched a summer operation targeting antisocial behaviour across the county, including planned action in Sevenoaks and other West Kent communities.

West Kent experienced its first heatwave of 2026 as record-breaking temperatures swept across the South East, bringing sunshine, soaring demand for water and fresh concerns about increasingly hot summers.

Local play areas across Maidstone are set to benefit from a £95,000 investment, with 19 parish councils receiving funding to improve children's facilities. The scheme aims to create safer, more attractive spaces for families while supporting children's health, development and outdoor play.

Maidstone has launched a summer-long celebration marking 25 years of Maidstone River Park, with riverside events, festivals and community activities planned across the town.

Tonbridge has been named Kent’s busiest commuter station after season ticket journeys across the county rose by more than 1.4 million trips in a year, according to new figures released by Southeastern.