Wednesday 9th October

Wednesday, 9 October 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A decision on building 46 new homes at the southern edge of Castle Cary has been delayed. A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with using racially aggravated abuse towards a police officer. A teacher in Chard has been awarded a top prize at the National Special Educational Needs awards... and more.

A decision on building 46 new homes at the southern edge of Castle Cary has been delayed to clarify the potential impact of the development on the local landscape and the town's conservation area. Somerset Council’s Planning Committee South voted to defer an application by Castle Cary LLP to build the houses on land between Cockhill Elm Lane and the cemetery until later in the year to allow further information to be gathered by planning officers.

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with using racially aggravated abuse towards a police officer. Sam Burden of Marl Close also faced a charge of possessing cocaine when he appeared at Yeovil Magistrates Court. Burden was fined £80 for the drugs offence and £80 for the racially aggravated offence along with a £72 victim surcharge and £40 costs.

A hospice offering end-of-life care in Somerset says it now raises more money through its charity shops than it receives from the government. Dorothy House Hospice Care says it's facing the worst funding crisis in 20 years. It's one of more than 200 charitable hospices in the UK calling on the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to provide help for the sector in this month’s Budget.

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, Clare Moody, is holding a public forum in Yeovil this evening. It’s your chance to influence the future of policing and meet with members of the Yeovil Neighbourhood Policing Team. The forum is being held in the Alex Stock Lounge at Yeovil Town Football Club’s ground, Huish Park, starting at 6 pm and is open to everyone to attend.

A lack of planning officers and getting rid of phosphates are behind the huge backlog of planning applications, according to Somerset Council. Developers say they are unable to meet the government house building targets because of the long delays in getting planning applications approved. Lib Dem Lead Member for Planning on Somerset Council, Mike Rigby, says they're working hard to resolve the impasse, but the situation is complicated.

A Somerset teacher has been awarded a Teacher of the Year prize at the National Association for Special Educational Needs awards. Clare Brun, a special educational needs coordinator at Holyrood Academy in Chard, was nominated for her "incredible skills" as a teacher and the way in which she has supported other staff to better understand students with additional learning needs.

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Friday 18th July

EDF has completed another milestone in constructing the new 'Hinkley C' nuclear power plant near Bridgwater. The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire opens today with helicopters built in Yeovil on display. A road leading to Chard reservoir, shut two months ago for strengthening work to a dam wall, has re-opened...and more
Thursday 17th July

Yeovil MP Adam Dance says he has serious concerns about plans that could see the closure of inpatient beds at Crewkerne Community Hospital. Ilminster residents are being asked to vote in a referendum on adopting a new neighbourhood plan for the town. An event in which people take part in a race against horses is returning to Somerset later this year...and more
Wednesday 16th July

A children’s play area in Ilminster has been closed on safety grounds after badger setts were found on the land. Somerset Council sold off £90m of property assets last year to help fight off bankruptcy. Crewkerne Community Hospital could be turned into a neighbourhood health centre...and more.
Tuesday 15th July

The fire service has blamed a discarded portable barbecue for starting a blaze at Ham Hill Country Park. A care home for people with autism and complex needs in Crewkerne has been rated 'good'. A seven-year-old Yeovil boy has set a new world record for completing the most number of consecutive sit-ups for his age group...and more
Monday 14th July

Somerset Council is warning motorists against scanning QR codes at its car parks payment meters. Chard Town Council is spending £10,000 on short-term youth provision over the summer months. Former Yeovil Town player Marcus Stewart says he wants to continue raising money towards finding a cure for motor neurone disease...and more.
Friday 10th July

A Yeovil woman has shared how she is still on the waiting list for a transplant, a year on. A Crewkerne community group saved two tonnes of food from landfill last month and gave it to residents in need. Yeovil Town have announced their fixture list for the 2025/26 season....and more.
Thursday 10th July

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat health alert for the South West. A former Cherry Farm in Chard has donated its netting and high-tensile wire to Somerset Aid for Ukraine. Somerset Council is moving forward with its next phase of plans for the county...and more.
Wednesday 9th July

Demolition work at Yeovil’s Glovers Walk has been held up after two colonies of bees were discovered. Refurbishment of the town’s Dunelm store is underway. A teenager from Crewkerne has represented his country, winning a gold medal in a national boxing competition... and more.