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.

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Friday 4th July

Charity shops in Somerset report that they have received donations of dirty clothing and even soiled nappies. Plans have been submitted to build a further fifty new homes in Crewkerne. The National Audit Office says extra government funding to improve bus services, including in Somerset, has failed to deliver an increase in passenger numbers...and more
Thursday 3rd July

Dorset County Hospital is preparing to handle an increased number of births from now until the end of the year, following the closure of Yeovil Hospital's Maternity Unit. A number of former and current serving military personnel are pursuing the Ministry of Defence for compensation. Vandals have damaged a wooden shelter at the recreation ground in Ilminster...and more
Wednesday 2nd July

Business owners in Chard say ongoing roadworks in Fore Street are hurting their trade. A vehicle has been destroyed in a fire at a farm at Charlton Mackrell. A new recycling scheme has been launched to support Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Castle Carey has created a Scarecrow Festival...and more
Tuesday 1st July

A murder trial starts today of the parents of a baby boy who died in Yeovil Hospital. Somerset residents are being asked to keep an eye on elderly neighbours, with temperatures expected to reach the high 20s again today. A tiny black kitten has been found inside a crate of laundry delivered to a cleaning business in Yeovil...and more
Monday 30th June

The Care Quality Commission has published its report into the running of the maternity unit at Yeovil Hospital. A public consultation has been launched into plans to build 150 new homes at Horton near Ilminster. A Chard man has embarked on walking 75 miles across Somerset, raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance...and more
Friday 27th June

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for Yeovil Hospital to be included in the government's national review of NHS maternity services. A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with four counts of fraud. Yeovil Town players will be modelling the club’s new home and away strip at Huish Park this evening...and more.
Thursday 26th June

Thousands more music fans will arrive at Worthy Farm for the start of Glastonbury Festival. The government has granted Somerset Council a stay of execution, allowing it to defer a spending deficit on special needs education. A party has been held to mark the 100th birthday of a Somerset woman who has lived in the same house for 100 years...and more.
Wednesday 25th June

Businesses at the Cartgate services off the A303 near Yeovil say they feel threatened by Welcome Break Ltd's plans to build a new, bigger services area right next door. A man who lives in Tintinhull, found nearly double the drink drive limit, has been given a 20-month driving ban. Police are warning of fake tickets being on sale for Glastonbury Festival...and more