Local News Thursday 15th April

Thursday, 15 April 2021 07:30

People in South Somerset are being invited to take part in a major UK trial looking at whether coronavirus vaccines can be safely mixed. The Local Government Secretary, Robert Jenrick, has criticised Somerset’s district councils over a proposal to hold a local poll. A revised application for a new McDonald’s in Yeovil has been granted full planning permission, despite local objections...and more.

People in South Somerset are being invited to take part in a major UK trial looking at whether coronavirus vaccines can be safely mixed. The trial to see different ones being used for first and second doses is being expanded to include two new jabs, Moderna or Novovax. People aged over 50 who have received a first dose of the Pfizer or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines can apply to take part. Their second dose will either be the same again or one of the newer vaccines.

The Local Government Secretary, Robert Jenrick, has criticised Somerset’s district councils over a proposal to hold a local poll on the planned reorganisation of local councils in the County. Last week, Somerset’s four district councils said they could hold a survey next month, at an estimated cost of more than 300-thousand-pounds, to gauge support for a countywide referendum on the issue. The government is already holding its own online consultation, which ends on Monday. The issue is whether the County should have one council, or be run by two councils; one based on the eastern half of Somerset; the other to serve the western half of the County.

A revised application for a new McDonald’s in Yeovil has been granted full planning permission, despite local objections. The fast-food chain had its application to build a restaurant on Sherborne Road approved in 2020. The only difference with the revised application is that the building will be single-storey rather than spread over two floors. Pittards, who have their factory next to the new McDonald’s, had asked for an entry and exit road to be built off the A30 but the County Highway Authority says vehicles using the new McDonald’s will not impact adversely on the A30.

Horse riders have failed in their efforts to secure a right of way across the A303 at Sparkford. The South Somerset Bridleway Association had wanted a bridleway included In the work to dual the A303 between the Sparkford and Podimore roundabouts. Somerset County Council claims no evidence existed of there having been a bridleway in use in the area and refused to add it to the local ‘rights of way map’.

The cancer charity CLIC Sargent is appealing for donations of clothes and toys for its shops in Somerset. It follows losses of around £1.5 million in sales due to shops having to shut during the lockdown. CLIC Sargent’s shop in Princes Street in Yeovil re-opened fully for trading earlier this week.

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Thursday 11th June

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Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more
Wednesday 3rd June

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