Thursday 1st October

Thursday, 1 October 2026 06:30

765 new homes have been given planning permission on the edge of Yeovil. Somerset Council’s Executive will meet to consider new parking charges. Four of the county’s best military cadets have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant cadets... and more.

765 new homes along with a care home, community hall and primary school have been given planning permission on the edge of Yeovil. At a meeting on Tuesday, Councillors approved the proposal for land opposite the showground on Dorchester Road, which had first been put forward more than a decade ago.

A Somerset farmer says he missed out on £75,000 of government funding from a green scheme – because he was travelling to receive an award for eco-friendly practices. Tim Smith from East Coker started a funding application to the sustainable farming incentive scheme on his phone as soon as it went live during his journey to Sussex last week. But by the time he got to his hotel and set up his computer, the scheme had shut, with all £230 million available applied for by other applicants. In response, the government has said it developed a fairer system to reach more farmers, with nearly a billion pounds set to be invested over the next three years, but it is looking at alternatives to a first-come, first-served application process in the future.

Somerset Council’s Executive will meet next week to consider proposals for a revised and phased move to new parking charges across the county. The plans are intended to create a fairer and more consistent approach for motorists. There are currently different rates and approaches across 120 council-run chargeable car parks and the system hasn’t been reviewed since the creation of Somerset Council in 2023.

Four of the county’s best military cadets have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant cadets, after excelling in their roles and showing ‘remarkable’ leadership. Thomas Greaves from Castle Cary and Simon Simukaitis from Yeovil have been recognised, alongside Ewan Glossop from Bath and James Hargreaves from Tiverton. They will now assist Mohammed Saddiq,the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, at official engagements, serving as ambassadors for the cadet forces.

More from News

Friday 9th October

A controversial new one-way traffic system in Bridgwater is to be changed back to a 2-way system. Plans to cut support funding to young carers in Somerset have been scrapped. A new website has been launched in Chard bringing together everything residents and visitors need to know about the town...and more
Thursday 8th October

Somerset Council is to press ahead with increases to parking charges at its car parks. Police say increasing numbers of young people in Somerset are riding e-scooters illegally. Wells market has received national recognition...and more
Wednesday 7th October

Somerset Council says it's started talks about what do with the Brewhouse theatre in Taunton after it closes at the end of the month. A Chard man has been sentenced for keeping multiple different dogs despite being banned from doing so. NHS van drivers based in Bridgwater who supply hospitals in Somerset with essential medical equipment will walk out on strike next week... and more
Tuesday 6th October

Prince William is visiting Ilminster today, where he will launch ‘Ready Together’, a new initiative helping communities prepare for emergencies. Barwick and Stoford Primary School near Yeovil says it's confident of emerging stronger after being placed in special measures by Ofsted. Vapes and weight-loss jabs are putting workers at recycling centres in Somerset at risk after being wrongly thrown away...and more
Monday 5th October

Ilminster is gearing up for a Royal visit by Prince William tomorrow. Plans have been approved to convert the former Battens Solicitors building on Princes Street in Yeovil into 21 flats. A 'Just Giving' page has opened for making donations towards Ilminster Carnival which, on Saturday, had to be cancelled midway through due to a gas leak...and more
Friday 2nd October

An investigation's underway after two people died in a collision near Taunton. A Somerset-based charity has warned of the risks of fuel poverty this winter. A Somerset healthcare service has been recognised with a national award.... and more.
Wednesday 30th September

Police are appealing for a missing 17 year old from Castle Cary. A registered sex offender has been sentenced to 9 years in prison. A former Chard student who is one of six writers in the running to win this year's Booker Prize has paid tribute to his childhood teachers... and more.
Tuesday 29th September

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service say this summer saw record-breaking levels of demand. The charity that runs the Brewhouse Theatre has confirmed that it will definitely close. A Chard charity has launched a minibus service to improve community transport... and more.