Friday 16th January

Friday, 16 January 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The go-ahead has been given to build 200 new homes at Ilchester. Taunton Town Council is increasing its share of the Council Tax by 3 per cent 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 expand the primary school. An additional £426,000 will be allocated to improve youth facilities, including two new on-site play areas.

Taunton Town Council is increasing its share of the Council Tax by 3 per cent each year. It says the increase will add an average of £10 to the council tax bill of a Band D property.

A survey has been launched to build a picture of people’s eating habits in Somerset. Run by the Public Health Team at Somerset Council, it surveys people’s food choices, with the results 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, which Bradford won last year. The winning town will receive £ 1 million to deliver a year of cultural events in 2028.

The Friends of Chard Reservoir are looking for new members. The group serves as a hub for community engagement, focusing on enhancing health and well-being within the reservoir and nature reserve. Details on joining are available on the Friends of Chard Reservoir Facebook page.

Somerset is featured in a new Agatha Christie drama, available on Netflix from this week. The Seven Dials Mystery was filmed at several locations across Somerset, with major scenes set 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 11 and under.

More from News

Thursday 19th February

Yeovil fire station is to undergo a major refurbishment. A Yeovil based charity is appealing for adults to become mentors to young people. A Somerset woman has completed a 10,000 kilometre solo bike ride across Africa... and more
Wednesday 18th February

New figures have shown a rise in cases of suicide involving farmers, including in Somerset. Plans to merge the parishes of Castle Cary and Ansford have been scrapped. A Somerset-based charity working to end homelessness is marking its 50th anniversary... and more
Tuesday 17th February

Avon and Somerset Police are asking the owners of replica guns to hand them in. It's claimed motorists in the Bruton and Wincanton area are paying out hundreds of pounds in repairs due to the poor state of local roads. And, Yeovil Town take on Aldershot at Huish Park tonight... and more
Monday 16th February

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has warned that the Westlands entertainment venue in Yeovil would be at risk should Leonardo not be awarded a government contract to build new medium life helicopters. A Chard woman has been given a suspended jail sentence for carrying a knife in a public place. A petition has been launched to slowdown motorists using Coker Way and Wyatt Way in Chard... and more
Friday 13th February

Somerset Council has dropped plans to close two town centre car parks in Yeovil. A Yeovil man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was attacked in her home. The Environment Agency has committed to reviewing its water management of the Somerset Levels following the recent floods... and more
Thursday 12th February

The government says it's ‘working flat out’ to arrive at a decision on ordering a new medium lift helicopter with Leonardo in Yeovil. We’re being asked to suggest where new electric vehicle charge points should be installed in Somerset. A new project is inviting people to look up and help map Somerset’s night skies... and more
Wednesday 11th February

Somerset Council has been told it can’t raise council tax by more than 5 percent. Businesses in Somerset are being warned to watch out for fake £20 notes. A Martock man has successfully completed a parachute-ski jump off the top of Mount Snowdon.
Tuesday 10th February

Eye operations in Somerset have been cancelled, due to a private company running out of NHS funding to provide the surgery. A local MP is calling for the permanent installation of pumps on the Somerset Levels to reduce the flood risk. A £3 million pound project has begun to refurbish the grand organ at Wells Cathedral... and more