Local News Friday 17th September

Friday, 17 September 2021 06:00

There's been a big increase in the number of phone appointments being carried out by family doctors in Somerset. It's the last day for care home workers in Somerset to get a first covid vaccine. Inquests into the deaths of two people in a crash involving a light aircraft at Buckland St Mary near Chard have been opened and adjourned. Plans for a giant solar farm that crosses into Dorset from South Somerset near South Perrott will soon be decided...and more.

There's been a big increase in the number of phone appointments being carried out by family doctors in Somerset. 20% of GP appointments were by phone in February 2021 and by July it had risen to 43% but the NHS in Somerset says despite huge demand for appointments at the moment, it is now seeing more patients in person than last summer.

It's the last day for care home workers in Somerset to get a first covid vaccine. On November 11th, it will be mandatory for staff to be fully vaccinated. Leader of Somerset county council David Fothergill says it means some employees will lose their jobs.

Inquests into the deaths of two people in a crash involving a light aircraft at Buckland St Mary near Chard have been opened and adjourned. The pilot Jonathan Mann and his passenger, Margaret Costa, were pronounced dead at the scene on August 12th. Post-mortem examinations show they died from multiple injuries. The inquests were adjourned pending a report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

Plans for a giant solar farm that crosses into Dorset from South Somerset near South Perrott will soon be decided. The 54-hectare site, close to Pipplepen Farm on School Hill and to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is predicted to generate up to 32 megawatts, enough to provide electricity for around 10,000 homes. If planning consent is given, the site is expected to take between four and six months to develop and to be in operation for 30-years.

Plans have been submitted to build a 24-bed nursing home on the site of the former Lamb Inn pub at Horton Cross near Ilminster. The site lies near the Monks Yard conference venue, about half a mile from the Southfields roundabout, where the A358 joins the A303. South Somerset District Council is expected to make a decision on the new proposals before the end of the year.

A new shop and cafe have been approved at an animal rescue centre in Wincanton. Following the granting of planning permission the new outlets, as well as holiday accommodation, will be added to the site of the Somerset and Dorset Animal Rescue Centre in Common Lane.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more