Local News Thursday 11th August

    Residents in the Hendford Hill area of Yeovil have won their fight to stop a former care home from being converted into a homeless hostel. Another heat warning is in force in Somerset today with the Met Office forecasting extreme heat up to Saturday. A local man caught growing cannabis has been jailed for three years and seven months and National Highways is advising motorists in Somerset to check their tyres more often to avoid the risk of breaking down.

    Residents in the Hendford Hill area of Yeovil have won their fight to stop a former care home from being converted into a homeless hostel.
    Bournemouth Churches Housing Association had wanted to turn Acacia Lodge in Hendford Hill into a hostel for thirty-nine homeless people. At a meeting last night of South Somerset District Council’s Area South Committee, the plan was unanimously rejected. The meeting was attended by around 200 local objectors, many of whom spoke directly to the councillors claiming that a homeless hostel would increase the fear of crime in the Hendford Hill area. 

    Another heat warning is in force in Somerset today with the Met Office forecasting extreme heat up to Saturday. Despite the dry weather, water companies say they're not planning a hose-pipe ban in Somerset at the moment but concern is growing over the health of wildlife living in local canals and rivers. The Canal and River Trust in Somerset say local waterways have become stagnant. 

    A local man caught growing cannabis has been jailed for three years and seven months. Taunton Crown Court was told that Wesley Wells-Burr of Middle Street, North Perrott, near Crewkerne made more than half a million pounds dealing in cannabis that he grow at a property he owned in Chard. 

    National Highways is advising motorists in Somerset to check their tyres more often to avoid the risk of breaking down. So far this year 19,300 breakdowns have been recorded on roads in Somerset due to tyre problems. 

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    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Light rain

      High: 8°C | Low: 1°C

    • Chard

      Light rain

      High: 8°C | Low: 1°C

    • Crewkerne

      Light rain

      High: 8°C | Low: 1°C

    • Somerton

      Light rain

      High: 8°C | Low: 1°C

    • Wincanton

      Light rain

      High: 9°C | Low: 0°C

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