Local News Monday 21st March

Monday, 21 March 2022 06:00

A new report claims the controversial cull of badgers that began in Somerset ten years ago and aimed at helping stop the spread of TB among cattle hasn’t worked. Plans have been submitted to build a new drive-thru coffee shop, using repurposed shipping containers, in Yeovil. Kerbing and drainage work at Boden Street in Chard is due to be completed by the end of the month, A new home for adults with autism and other learning disabilities is to open in Yeovil...and more.

A new report claims the controversial cull of badgers that began in Somerset ten years ago and aimed at helping stop the spread of TB among cattle hasn’t worked. It’s been published by a group of scientists known as Born Free, who are opposed to culling badgers. The government says the report has manipulated official data.

Plans have been submitted to build a new drive-thru coffee shop, using repurposed shipping containers, in Yeovil. The facility would be on land opposite Palmers fish and chip shop, next to the Bluebell roundabout on Bunford Lane. South Somerset District Council is due to make a decision on the application in the next three months.

Kerbing and drainage work at Boden Street in Chard is due to be completed by the end of the month, making way for the new asphalt to be laid. South Somerset District Council says a new footway along the east side of Boden Street will be in place by April, making it safer to walk into town from the Boden Street car park, as well as Chard Leisure Centre. The improvements are part of the multi-million pound Chard Regeneration project.

A new home for adults with autism and other learning disabilities is to open in Yeovil. The complex of five-bed bungalows on The Avenue in Yeovil is for people who have ended a stay in hospital. They will stay for 2-years after which they will move into permanent accommodation.

A water tap has been installed in Middle Street in Yeovil for public use. It’s aimed at encouraging people to drink more tap water and not use water in plastic bottlers to avoid the use of single-use plastic bottles. The tap and has been provided by Wessex Water as a free service.

Parliament has passed legislation allowing for the setting up of Somerset’s new unitary council. The Somerset Structural Changes Order gives responsibility for creating the single unitary council from April next year and replacing the County Council and four district councils, to a new Implementation Executive. It also gives approval for local elections to be held on May 5th to elect 110 councillors to run the new Somerset unitary council.

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