Friday 16th January

Friday, 16 January 2026 05:00

By Steve Haigh

The go ahead has been given to build 200 new homes at Ilchester. Taunton Town Council is putting up its share of the Council Tax by 3-percent a year. Somerset is featured in a new Agatha Christie drama being shown on Netflix from this week... and more

The go ahead has been given to build 200 new homes at Ilchester. The properties will be built on land to the north of the existing Hainbury Meadows housing scheme. It follows the signing of a 106 agreement in which the landowner will provide £424,000 for early years provision in the village and £640,000 to expansion the primary school. An additional £426,000 will be provided to improve youth facilities, with two new play areas provided within the site.

Taunton Town Council is putting up its share of the Council Tax by 3-percent a year. It says the increase will add an average of £10 to the council tax bill of a Band D property.

A survey’s been launched to build a picture of people’s eating habits in Somerset. Run by the Public Health Team at Somerset Council, it asks about people’s food choices, with the results being used to plan healthy living projects.

The UK's first Town of Culture competition has opened for entries. It’s similar to the UK’s City of Culture scheme that was won last year by Bradford. The winning town will receive one-million pounds to deliver a year of cultural events in 2028.

The Friends of Chard Reservoir are looking for new members. The group acts as a hub of community involvement, with a focus on enhancing health and wellbeing through the reservoir and nature reserve. Details about joining can be found on the Friends of Chard Reservoir Facebook page.

Somerset is featured in a new Agatha Christie drama being shown on Netflix from this week. The Seven Dials Mystery was filmed at a number of locations across Somerset with major scenes filmed on the West Somerset Railway.

A new children’s soft play area is soon to open in Merriot. The owners of Play Haven Soft Play on Tail Mill Lane say it’s designed for children aged up to 11 years old.

More from News

Thursday 15th January

The company behind a proposed tidal lagoon between Watchet and Minehead says it could create up to eight thousand jobs. A third councillor on Somerset Council has joined Reform UK. St Margaret's Hospice says this year’s Christmas tree collection scheme raised forty-seven thousand pounds...and more.
Wednesday 14th January

The union representing workers at Leonardo in Yeovil says it needs a clear answer from the government on whether the Yeovil factory will be awarded a contract to build new medium-lift helicopters for the RAF. Somerset Council says more support will be provided to foster carers. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels...and more
Tuesday 13th January

The Government says it won’t bring forward a decision on buying new helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels. Yeovil’s temporary police station on Horsey Lane is to close at the end of the month....and more
Monday 12th January

Leonardo is threatening to shut its Yeovil factory. Somerset Community Foundation says there's still time to donate money to its Surviving Winter Appeal. The Swan Theatre in Yeovil is staging a number of special performances to mark its 50th anniversary...and more.
Friday 9th January

A Yeovil man has been arrested and then de-arrested after a collision in Dorset. A Somerset food manufacturer could be expanding its Wincanton base. A new dementia-friendly choir has been launched in Yeovil...and more.
Thursday 8th January

Adam Dance MP is welcoming developments in his campaign to support neurodivergent schoolchildren. Somerset was the star of the small screen last night, thanks to BBC comedy ‘Can You Keep A Secret’. A Yeovil gymnastics club has hosted a VIP guest...and more.
Wednesday 7th January

Somerset's Lib Dem MPs have described a one per cent rise in Council funding as 'profoundly disappointing'. A new independent cinema will open next month in Wincanton. We’re facing the chance of heavy snow with Storm Goretti hitting the region on Thursday...and more.
Tuesday 6th January

The Poundland chain has confirmed its store closures, including one of the Yeovil branches next Friday. Yeovil's Marlie Packer has been awarded an OBE for her outstanding contribution to rugby. Nearly one hundred new low-cost homes could be coming to South Chard...and more.