Local News Friday 30th June

Friday, 30 June 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Avon and Somerset Police have spent one-point-three-million-pounds on the planned changes to Yeovil Police station even before a new brick has been laid. Plans to build ninety-seven new homes in South Chard have been turned down. After a series of delays and a contractor going bust, work to improve Westminster Street in Yeovil town centre has now finished...and more.

Avon and Somerset Police have spent one-point-three-million- pounds on the planned changes to Yeovil Police station even before a new brick has been laid. Figures show the bulk of the money, eight-hundred-and-ninety-six thousand pounds, has been spent on consultants, architects and other professional fees. A further three-hundred-and-thirty-three thousand pounds has been spent renting temporary accommodation for the police to operate from while Yeovil Police Station remains closed.

Changes have been finalised to Somerset’s parliamentary boundaries. The area covered by Somerset County Council is divided into five constituencies and then there's North East Somerset which takes in Radstock and Midsomer Norton. The current six constituencies will become eight, to try and even out the number of voters in each area.

Plans to build ninety-seven new homes in South Chard have been rejected by councillors. The proposal to develop land in Perry Street was turned down because of concerns about road safety and over-development.

Avon and Somerset Police are to put more resources into policing the countryside. It comes as the National Farmers Union reports that higher inflation has led to an increase in rural thefts with the value of stolen farm equipment doubling in the last year.

West Country-based wheelchair tennis player Lucy Shuker says she's 'as hungry as ever for success' as she prepares for her thirteenth Wimbledon appearance. The paralympic silver medallist has been given a wildcard at this year’s championships and will compete in both the singles and doubles events.

After a series of delays and a contractor going bust, work to improve Westminster Street in Yeovil has now finished. Somerset Council says the installation of wider natural stone paving and street planters has refreshed the look and feel of Westminster Street in the town centre.

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