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.