Kent Morning Briefing
Thursday, 13 August 2026
7 stories · 3-minute read
The day in Kent · Sevenoaks District Council has launched its final public consultation on a Local Plan that would deliver 17,460 new homes across the district by 2042, giving residents until September 2026 to shape where housing, schools and health centres are built. The plan represents one of the most significant planning decisions the district will face in a generation. Separately, a Margate flat-block fire is being treated as suspicious after Kent Fire and Rescue attended the scene on Monday afternoon.
The day ahead in Kent
Weather
Today: Clear morning, high 36°C, low 16°C.
Tomorrow: Clear morning, high 33°C, low 20°C.
Warning: Amber warning of extreme heat affecting London & South East England
Travel
Roads (1 incident): M25 — M23 Southbound Jct 7 to Jct 8 carriageway closure.
Rail: All Kent services running to schedule.
As of 04:30 from National Highways + National Rail.
Coastal tides
Dover: Low 07:43 (0.92m) · High 12:27 (6.80m) · Low 20:02 (0.63m) · High 00:56 (6.69m)
Margate: High 01:07 (4.77m) · Low 07:13 (0.89m) · High 13:24 (4.72m) · Low 19:54 (0.35m)
Tides via tidetimes.co.uk.
5 things to know
- Sevenoaks residents have until September 2026 to comment on 17,460-home Local Plan
- Dartford taxi driver attacker Oliver Dryden jailed for racially aggravated assault
- Margate flat-block basement fire on All Saints Avenue treated as suspicious
- Kent skywatchers face best celestial night in 27 years: eclipse, Perseids and six planets
- Medway Council launches single arts, heritage and funding directory for residents
17,460
new homes planned across Sevenoaks District under the draft Local Plan by 2042
Kent number of the day
Top Kent Stories
- Sevenoaks District Council opens final public consultation on plan for 17,460 new homes by 2042
Published 19:51 BST
Why it matters · Shapes where thousands of homes and services are built across Sevenoaks for 15 years. - Man jailed for racially aggravated attack on taxi driver in Dartford
Published 19:51 BST
Why it matters · Maidstone Crown Court sentence sends a clear message on racially aggravated violence. - Vehicle fire in All Saints Avenue, Margate treated as suspicious
Published 13:52 BST
Why it matters · Suspicious fire in a Margate residential block raises safety concerns for local residents. - Kent s best sky night in 27 years: deep eclipse, Perseid peak and six planets in 24 hours
Published 10:26 BST
Why it matters · Rare astronomical triple event gives Kent residents a once-in-a-generation viewing opportunity. - Medway Council arts and heritage page brings together tickets, venues and funding in one place
Published 11:50 BST
Why it matters · New Medway Council page simplifies access to local arts funding and cultural venues.
Crime & Justice
- Man jailed for racially aggravated attack on taxi driver in Dartford
Published 19:51 BST
Oliver Dryden, 30, of Orpington, was sentenced to two years and three months at Maidstone Crown Court after pleading guilty to racially abusing and beating a taxi driver on Crossways Boulevard…
Business & Economy
- FCA Deputy Chief Executive Says Trust in Financial Markets Depends on Openness
Published 15:50 BST
Sarah Pritchard told a Whitehall breakfast briefing on 8 July 2026 that the FCA is publishing more detail about its supervisory work, including a new Enforcement Watch, to build consumer and market… - ONS Tells Survey Recipients to Use the Link in Their Letter
Published 07:50 BST
The Office for National Statistics has reminded people selected for its surveys that they must use the exact URL sent to them by post or email, and can call a free helpline if they need help. The…
Financial markets
Bank of England (last 7 days):
Markets via Yahoo Finance; ONS + BoE via official feeds.
What’s on today
- 09:15 · Regulation Committee Appeal Panel (Transport) — Maidstone
Coming up tomorrow
No public events scheduled tomorrow.
“Canterbury Cathedral took over 70 years to build its famous Bell Harry Tower, completed around 1498 after construction began in the 1420s.”
Kent fact of the day