Tuesday 26th November

Tuesday, 26 November 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Somerset councillor has criticised government plans to relax the planning laws. A new group has been formed in Somerset aimed at cutting the number of motorcycle thefts. A retired Royal Naval Reserve Officer in Somerset has set a new Guinness World Record...and more.

A Somerset councillor has criticised government plans to relax the planning laws. The government wants to make it quicker and simpler for developers to get their applications approved. But, Martin Wale, who represents Chard North on Somerset Council, claims rushing through applications will lead to homes being built without the infrastructure in place, like schools and GP surgeries, needed to support the new homes.

A new group has been formed in Somerset aimed at cutting the number of motorcycle thefts. The launch of Bikers Against Theft in Somerset, known as BATS, follows a spate of motorcycle thefts in the County.

The RSPCA in Somerset says it dealt with 300 abandoned animals last year, making it the worst year on record for abandoned pets. The charity is warning that Christmas is likely to see another increase and is asking anyone who finds an abandoned pet to take it directly to a local vet or rescue centre.

Leonardo in Yeovil will be flying drones over its airfield today. The company says it’s a test exercise with the drones operated by authorised personnel.

A retired Royal Naval Reserve Officer in Somerset has set a new Guinness World Record for being the longest-serving member of the Royal Navy. Commander Suzanne Clark's Royal Navy career spans 45 years and 107 days of service, beating the previous record by 283 days.

A minute’s silence will be held at Chard Town FC’s home game on Saturday in memory of long-serving club stalwart, Colin Dunford. Colin, who has died aged 79, served as chairman, secretary and treasurer of Chard Town, as well as manager of the Chard Town Ladies team.

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Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more
Monday 20th April

Nearly one hundred roads in Somerset will be surface dressed this summer to prevent further damage. Almost all children starting primary school in Somerset in September have been offered a place at one of their top three school choices. People in Somerset are being asked to record wild mammals in gardens and other green spaces over the summer... and more
Friday 17th April

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has backed calls for a cap on heating oil prices. Invitations are being sent out to those in Somerset eligible for the latest Covid vaccine. A pub near Chard has closed just four months after reopening... and more
Thursday 16th April

Wessex Water has been told to pay £300,000 after a sewer spilled into the River Yeo killing dozens of fish. The Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton has been given a grant of half a million pounds. Today marks the official opening of the new visitor centre at Ham Hill... and more
Wednesday 15th April

Yeovil College has been upgraded to a Defence Technical Excellence College. Somerset Council is taking legal action against a housing developer that owes £35,000 in contributions towards local services in Broadway. An Ilminster couple have covered the first 400 miles of their epic walk around the coastline of mainland Britain... and more
Tuesday 14th April

Avon and Somerset Police has launched a new five-year plan to tackle anti-social behaviour. Additional GP appointments will soon be available at three local surgeries, following a £1 million investment to upgrade NHS facilities in Somerset. A Stoke-sub-Hamdon couple whose daughter died of cancer have raised £128,000 in her memory... and more