Friday 22nd August

Friday, 22 August 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Six hundred parking spaces could be lost in Yeovil town centre if plans to build new homes on public car parks go ahead. The Environment Agency is to stop maintaining some rivers and streams in Somerset to save money. People in Somerset are being warned about a scam involving fake communications from the tax authorities...and more

Six hundred parking spaces could be lost in Yeovil town centre if plans to build new homes on public car parks go ahead. Somerset Council has identified the Court Ash and North Lane car park, the Glovers Walk car park, the car park next to the former Wilko store on Middle Street, the Stars Lane car park and the Box Factory car park for residential development. The Council says closing the car parks and using the land for building will deliver 300 new homes. A consultation on the proposals will be launched at an event at Super Saturday in Yeovil on September 20th.

The Environment Agency is to stop maintaining some rivers and streams in Somerset to save money. The EA says the work, which includes removing overgrowth, doesn't have a big enough impact on flood prevention to make it financially viable.

People in Somerset are being warned about a scam involving fake communications from the tax authorities. HMRC says fraudsters are targeting individuals with fake refund offers in an attempt to steal personal information. They’re urging people completing tax returns to stay alert to scam emails and texts offering fake tax refunds.

Taunton Crown Court is likely to remain closed for some considerable time. During the repair to the building, further structural damage has been uncovered that will delay its re-opening until July next year.

A Chard family are hosting a charity event in memory of their father. The Warren family have held coffee mornings in memory of Guy Warren every year since 2016, raising money for Macmillan. This year’s coffee morning is being held at Chard Guildhall on Saturday, September 13th, with actor Martin Clunes making a guest appearance.

More from News

Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more