Friday 16th January

Friday, 16 January 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The go-ahead has been given to build 200 new homes at Ilchester. Taunton Town Council is increasing its share of the Council Tax by 3 per cent a year. Somerset is featured in a new Agatha Christie drama being shown on Netflix from this week...and more

The go-ahead has been given to build 200 new homes at Ilchester. The properties will be built on land to the north of the existing Hainbury Meadows housing scheme. It follows the signing of a 106 agreement in which the landowner will provide £424,000 for early years provision in the village and £640,000 to expand the primary school. An additional £426,000 will be allocated to improve youth facilities, including two new on-site play areas.

Taunton Town Council is increasing its share of the Council Tax by 3 per cent each year. It says the increase will add an average of £10 to the council tax bill of a Band D property.

A survey has been launched to build a picture of people’s eating habits in Somerset. Run by the Public Health Team at Somerset Council, it surveys people’s food choices, with the results used to plan healthy living projects.

The UK's first Town of Culture competition has opened for entries. It’s similar to the UK’s City of Culture scheme, which Bradford won last year. The winning town will receive £ 1 million to deliver a year of cultural events in 2028.

The Friends of Chard Reservoir are looking for new members. The group serves as a hub for community engagement, focusing on enhancing health and well-being within the reservoir and nature reserve. Details on joining are available on the Friends of Chard Reservoir Facebook page.

Somerset is featured in a new Agatha Christie drama, available on Netflix from this week. The Seven Dials Mystery was filmed at several locations across Somerset, with major scenes set on the West Somerset Railway.

A new children’s soft play area is soon to open in Merriot. The owners of Play Haven Soft Play on Tail Mill Lane say it’s designed for children aged 11 and under.

More from News

Wednesday 11th February

Somerset Council has been told it can’t raise council tax by more than 5 percent. Businesses in Somerset are being warned to watch out for fake £20 notes. A Martock man has successfully completed a parachute-ski jump off the top of Mount Snowdon.
Tuesday 10th February

Eye operations in Somerset have been cancelled, due to a private company running out of NHS funding to provide the surgery. A local MP is calling for the permanent installation of pumps on the Somerset Levels to reduce the flood risk. A £3 million pound project has begun to refurbish the grand organ at Wells Cathedral... and more
Monday 9th February

Multiple flood alerts and warnings remain in place across South Somerset following the weekend’s heavy rainfall. Work starts today repairing a sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary. A business in Crewkerne is closing after 50-years trading in the town... and more
Friday 6th September

Leonardo has announced a major deal to build helicopters in India. Campaigners trying to set up a new bus link to Castle Cary railway station from Glastonbury say they need 150 thousand pounds of council money. A community event is being held in Chard for charities and service providers to showcase their activities.... and more
Thursday 5th February

The NHS in Somerset is the first in the country to trial an online self-referral service for breast cancer. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014... and more
Wednesday 4th February

Somerset Council is asking the government for extra funds to pay for the damage caused by Storm Chandra. There’s been a setback to the campaign to reopen Chinnock Hollow. The Telegraph newspaper has named the Barrington Boar at Barrington in a list of the top 50 best pubs in the UK... and more
Tuesday 3rd February

Five flood warnings remain in place in Somerset covering the rivers Parrett, Yeo, Northmoor and Saltmoor. Somerset Council says it has no plans to demolish a derelict listed building near Chard Leisure Centre. A Yeovil farm shop has been honoured at a national awards ceremony... and more
Monday 2nd February

The Met Office has issued a warning of more heavy rain for Somerset. A survey by Somerset Council shows nearly two-thirds of households would be happy to pay more in council tax. Yeovil Town Council is offering free allotment spaces to support people’s wellbeing... and more