04 March 2025 - Upset as school scraps World Book Day dress-up
Some parents disappointed after Langafel primary stop marking the day, because they say it is disruptive and a costly burden to parents
BBC Website
31 March 2025 - Hartley Crime Report: March
Theft of dumper truck - 1 (Bramblefield); break in to garage - 2 (Brambledown, Bramblefield); criminal damage - 2 (Northfield, Wellfield)
E-Watch
31 March 2025 - Longfield Crime Report: September and October
Theft of vehicles - 1 (Essex Road); attempted theft of vehicles - 1 (Station Road)
E-Watch
03 April 2025 - Magistrate apologises to drink driver for 'mix up' oveer arrest
69 year old from Wellfield had sent email saying he couldn't attend due to brother's funeral, but it wasn't passed on to magistrates who issued warrant for his arrest by mistake, with result he was arrested and held overnight by police.
Gravesend & Dartford Messenger
09 April 2025 - 'We will be stranded when bus route is scrapped'
Arriva plan to axe 489 New Ash Green to Gravesend route on 1 June. Interviews with local residents about the problems this will cause. This will leave New Ash Green and Hartley with just 5 buses a day, with the last one at 2.15pm
BBC Website
12 April 2025 - Bus service to hospital and shopping centre to be axed
Article about 477 bus being terminated at Dartford town centre. It also mentions that Arriva plan to axe the 489 New Ash Green to Gravesend route on 1 June
Gravesend & Dartford Messenger
24 April 2025 - MP 'deeply concerned' about solar farm
MP for Hartley and New Ash Green writes to Minister to object to the New Ash Green solar project. This is a proposal for a solar farm powering 17,000 houses on 235 acres of Green Belt near New Ash Green. He cites planning guidelines to prioritise previously developed land, loss of biodiversity, loss of farmland (it is said will switch from milk production to sheep grazing). He also raised concerns that the panels may be built by forced labour, in reply applicants say they will be ethically sourced. Article also has comments from head of No New Ash Green Solar campaign group who said 700 letters of objection had been lodged. Evolution Power cite national policy to combat global warming and said no solar farms could be placed in Sevenoaks that are not on green belt land. The paper also reports that another solar scheme at Speedgate Farm, Fawkham, previously refused by the council, has now gone to appeal.
Gravesend & Dartford Messenger
30 April 2025 - Hartley Crime Report
Criminal damage - 5 (Northfield (2), Wellfield(2), Woodland Avenue); theft of motor vehicle - 3 (Church Road, Gresham Avenue, Quakers Close); theft from motor vehicle - 1 (Russell Square)
E-Watch
30 April 2025 - Longfield Crime Report
Criminal damage - 1 (Essex Road)
E-Watch