Monday 17th June

Monday, 17 June 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A man has been jailed for five years and eight months after pleading guilty to a series of burglaries across Somerset and Devon, including in Chard. Glenville Road Post Office in Yeovil could be converted into a house. If you’re not registered to vote in the General Election, you only have until midnight tomorrow in which to do so...and more.

A man’s been jailed for five years and eight months after pleading guilty to a series of burglaries across Somerset and Devon, including in Chard. Tyler Brown, aged 20, of no fixed abode, admitted to carrying out three burglaries on Brutton Way, Glynswood and Lower Touches in Chard. Exeter Crown Court was told that Brown had broken into 26 properties in total, mostly while people were asleep, to steal vehicles and other possessions.

Glenville Road Post Office in Yeovil could be converted into a house if plans are approved by Somerset Council. The site traded as a post office until 2023 which the owners say was only a small part of what is already a house.

Somerset Council's Executive has refused to make changes to the County’s nutrient neutrality policy, which could potentially have allowed for work to start building thousands of new homes. Plans to build around 18,000 new homes are currently at a standstill as a result of the phosphates crisis, with developers needing to secure additional mitigation to prevent any net increase of phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors. The Council's climate and place scrutiny committee held a special meeting on water quality in April, making several recommendations aimed at resolving the ongoing phosphate issue. But the Executive, on the advice of its planning team, refused to take the changes forward, citing a risk of legal action, inadequate evidence and a lack of staff resources.

A mother in Chard has set up a Somerset-wide parents group called Mums and Munchkins. Annie Tombs has five hundred parents taking part on Facebook, offering advice and support to one another.

Plans have been submitted to build a new arts hub in Ilminster. The proposal would involve converting 39 East Street into a studio space, gallery, workshop and office. The applicants say the building is unsuitable for modern usage other than storage but has the potential to provide an active use for the arts.

If you’re not registered to vote in the General Election, you only have until midnight tomorrow in which to do so. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is Wednesday, June 26th. Applications can be made through the Somerset Council website.

More from News

Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,
Tuesday 2nd December

A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a serious assault in Wincanton. Fire crews have dealt with a house fire in the village of Pitney. Plans have been submitted to redevelop Bridgwater Docks into a cultural and tourist destination. Ilminster's annual Christmas tree festival has opened in the town...and more
Monday 1st December

New figures show that crime in the Avon and Somerset police area rose by 8% in the year to June. South Western Railway has restarted running hourly services through Sherborne, Yeovil and Crewkerne following months of disruption. Persimmon Homes South West has donated £1500 towards the running costs of Castle Cary Rugby Club...and more
Friday 28th November

Somerset Council has failed to stop 150 homes being built in Crewkerne. Posters of a drag act coming to Somerset, displayed in Shepton Mallet, have been vandalised. Avon and Somerset police are using proceeds from drug crime to fund community projects...and more,
Thursday 27th November

A new NHS dentist in Chard will start seeing its first patients next Tuesday. The go-ahead has been given to install five new lighting and CCTV columns on Milfield Road in Chard. Work is to start in January, replacing ageing traffic signals at the A39 junction with Clarks Village in Street...and more
Wednesday 26th November

Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil, belonging to the Unite union, have accepted a new pay offer of 8% over two years. Yeovil Town has appointed a new first-team Manager. A new NHS dental practice is due to open in Chard next month...and more
Tuesday 25th November

Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, is calling on the Chancellor to deliver ‘real economic growth’ for Yeovil in her budget tomorrow. The government has given Yeovil College £2 million to upgrade its engineering facilities. A Chard-based charity has sent 7,000 boxes filled with Christmas gifts to Ukraine...and more.
Monday 24th November

A church leader has warned that “irrevocable damage” will be caused to town centres if Somerset Council starts charging for Sunday parking. Fifty new homes are to be built in Castle Cary following a successful planning appeal. A call has been made for a memorial to the victims who died in a plane crash on the Blackdown Hills 80 years ago...and more.