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.

More from News

Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more
Tuesday 3rd March

A woman from Ilminster has been jointly charged with another woman after a man’s body was found inside a car in Cornwall. Somerset businesses, involved in the supply chain for Leonardo, have welcomed the news that the Leonardo factory in Yeovil is to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Plans have been submitted to build thirty-two homes in Milborne Port... and more
Monday 2nd March

The Leonardo factory in Yeovil has won a multi-million pound contract to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. A doctor, who previously worked at Yeovil Hospital, has appeared in court charged with illegally accessing NHS computers. A new Construction Innovation Centre has opened at Yeovil College... and more
Friday 27th February

The CEO of Leonardo has suggested the UK government could make an announcement immindently about ordering new medium lift helicopters to be built in Yeovil. A family run hardware business in Yeovil has gone into administration. The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset has been named the new patron of Somerset Chamber of Commerce... and more
Thursday 26th February

Workers at Leonardo in Yeovil have been to Downing Street to hand-in a petition calling on the government to back British jobs. The decision to grant planning permission to upgrade Yeovil's Octagon Theatre has been enthusiastically welcomed by staff who work there. The search is on to find a defibrillator that has gone missing in Chard... and more
Wednesday 25th February

Plans have been passed to carry out a £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre. A new medical unit providing NHS and private treatments has opened in Shepton Mallet. Manor Court Community Primary School in Chard is celebrating after receiving a Gold Artsmark for excellence in arts and cultural education...and more