Podcast: Kings Park School in Ashford remains empty two months after opening for SEN students after council confusion

A brand-new special needs school remains empty months after opening despite being inundated by daily calls from parents “who want their children there”.

The independent provision, which has space for 40 pupils, is targeted at children aged seven to 16, with lower special educational needs who do not fit into mainstream schools. 

Also in today’s podcast, a cyclist has appeared in court accused of killing a pensioner after hitting him on his e-bike almost two years ago.

The victim was injured outside his home after the electric bicycle allegedly struck him while being ridden on the pavement in Rochester in 2023.

A farmer says he would be better off dying now to spare his family a £2 million inheritance tax bill before new rules come into force next April.

It’s as a new survey claims that up to 5,000 jobs could be lost in Kent and hundreds of millions of pounds wiped from its economy due to the controversial changes.

A family who say they were mis-sold an assistance dog with a hereditary hip problem now need to fork out more than £25,000 for his surgery.

The dog was bought for a 17-year-old girl in with autism and anxiety in the hopes it would “change her life” 

And controversial plans to overhaul one of Kent’s most renowned religious buildings into a holiday let have sparked a strong public backlash.

The landmark dates back to 1520 and is arguably one of the most photographed Christian sites in the country.