Local News Thursday 5th January

    A delay has been announced to the plans to dual the A358 between Ilminster and Taunton. South Somerset District Council has given the go-ahead for thirty low-cost homes to be built in South Petherton. A five-year plan is being drawn up for the future of the arts scene in Somerset. The New Year has got off to a good start for Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil with the company winning a multi-million-pound order with Canada to upgrade search and rescue helicopters...and more.

    A delay has been announced to the plans to dual the A358 between Ilminster and Taunton. National Highways says it’s to allow more time to assess the environmental impact of widening the road. National Highways had been due to apply for a Development Consent Order on the project before Christmas but now says this won’t happen until later in the year.

    South Somerset District Council has given the go-ahead for thirty low-cost homes to be built in South Petherton. The development of one-bed flats and two and three-bed houses will be sited on land at Flax Court. SSDC is also being asked to give planning consent to build 40 homes on Silver Street and 18 homes on Lampreys Lane in South Petherton.

    A five-year plan is being drawn up for the future of the arts scene in Somerset. Local councils are working on the project, aimed at better promotion of the arts as well as creating new job opportunities in the arts. 

    The New Year has got off to a good start for Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil with the company winning a multi-million-pound order with Canada to upgrade search and rescue helicopters. The contract, worth £608 million pounds, will see the systems of sixteen Canadian AW101 Cormorants up-graded, extending the life expectancy of the aircraft by further 20 years.

    Plans have been submitted to convert the rear part of Chard's former HSBC bank building into a residential dwelling. HSBC closed its Chard branch three years ago and, currently, the building stands unoccupied.

    Crewkerne Town Council says it may have to permanently close the public toilets in Falkland Square in the town following repeated acts of anti-social behavior. Police are asking anyone who witnesses the toilets being misused to inform the Town Council or call the police non-emergency number 101.

    More from News

    • Friday 25th April

      Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more

    •  Thursday 24th April

      Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.

    • Wednesday 23rd April

      Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.

    • Tuesday 22nd April

      The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.

    • Thursday 17th April

      The father of a one-month-old baby boy in Chard is to stand trial for the murder of his son. New figures show that just under 1300 crimes were reported to the Police in Yeovil during the final quarter of last year. A night in a prison cell is offered at Shepton Mallet Jail to those who want to be alone this Easter...and more.

    • Wednesday 16th April

      Big changes are being made to where taxi ranks in Yeovil are located. Farmers are being told to keep an extra lookout for people acting suspiciously following the latest livestock theft near the Devon and Somerset border. Channel 4’s Location Location Location is coming to Somerset, with anyone looking to buy a property locally invited to apply to be in the show...and more

    • Tuesday 15th April

      A 36-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of a sexual assault in Yeovil. Yeovil Labour Club has had its drinks licence revoked. NHS Somerset has been taking its physiotherapy team around the county to cut waiting times for patients. A men-only cooking course has been launched in Sherborne with all ingredients and equipment provided free of charge...and more

    • Monday 14th April

      A new banking hub has opened in Crewkerne. South Western Ambulance is asking people to only dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency over the Easter weekend. £1.8 million is being spent improving walking and cycling routes around a major new housing development at Up Mudford in Yeovil...and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Light rain

      High: 15°C | Low: 6°C

    • Chard

      Light rain

      High: 15°C | Low: 6°C

    • Crewkerne

      Light rain

      High: 15°C | Low: 6°C

    • Somerton

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 16°C | Low: 7°C

    • Wincanton

      Light rain

      High: 16°C | Low: 6°C

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