Local News Thursday 31st August

Thursday, 31 August 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Engineers have concluded that the weather rather than work laying a new pavement in the High Street in Yeovil has caused the War Memorial to lean. The UK's first artificial sports pitch made entirely from corn was laid at Preston School in Yeovil. Yeovil Town Council is appealing for help finding a time capsule...and more.

Structural engineers have concluded that the weather rather than work laying a new pavement in the High Street in Yeovil has caused the War Memorial to lean. Concerns were raised about the structure's safety shortly after work began in The Borough laying new pavement slabs. In a report, engineers say hydration within the stonework is the most likely reason why the upper section has developed a slight lean.

The UK's first artificial sports pitch made entirely out of corn has been laid at Preston School in Yeovil. It has cost nearly seven hundred thousand pounds and comes ahead of an expected ban in Europe on traditional 3G pitches that use microplastics.

A Somerset housing developer has welcomed plans to ease water pollution restrictions for new developments. Up to one hundred thousand new homes could be built by 2030 if EU rules around house building near waterways are loosened. Environmental groups have described the move as "disgraceful" but housing developer, Chris Winter, says the current regulations need to be changed.

The Somerset Building Preservation Trust has outlined plans to restore the old courthouse building in Chard. The Trust bought the lease to Number Nine Fore Street in May this year and through a programme of tailored repairs will give the building a new communal purpose.

Yeovil Town Council is trying to trace a time capsule believed to be buried under the Millennium Clock in Yeovil town centre. The capsule, containing items of Yeovil history, is thought to have been deposited in the clock's foundations when it was erected in 1999. The Town Council would like to hear from anyone who can shed light on the capsule's existence or anyone with photographs of the ceremony held to mark the capsule’s burial.

A date has been announced to open a new McDonald’s near Ilminster. The restaurant and drive-thru at the Southfields Enterprise Park off the A303 will open from Thursday, September 20th and has created sixty-five new jobs.

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