Local News Thursday 15th July

Thursday, 15 July 2021 06:00

Plans have been announced to build a new special needs school on the outskirts of Yeovil. A planning inspector has upheld a decision by South Somerset District Council not to allow 60 new homes to be built in Templecombe. An online exhibition is being staged of the plans to upgrade the A303 in South Somerset. £4,000 has been raised for Parkinson’s UK by Bruton Cycling Club. A new café and wine bar has opened in Bruton.

Plans have been announced to build a new special needs school on the outskirts of Yeovil. It’ll be situated off the A303 between the villages of Ash and Tintinhull and provide places to 100 children with social, emotional and mental health needs. The school’s due to open in January 2023 and will be managed by the Wave Multi-Academy Trust.

A planning inspector has upheld a decision by South Somerset District Council not to allow 60 new homes to be built in Templecombe. Planning inspector, Hayley Butcher, sat for 8-days in May and June, hearing evidence for and against the development at Manor Farm. She concluded that to allow the development at the Manor Farm site would be harmful to the grade-2 listed Manor House and nearby heritage assets.

An exhibition is being staged of the plans to upgrade the A303 in South Somerset. Highways England is to turn the three-mile stretch of single lane road between Podimore and Sparkford into dual carriageway at a cost of £250 million pounds. The online exhibition takes place next week on July 22nd and 23rd. It will give details of each section of the upgrade and show how disruption to motorists will be minimized when work starts in September. To view the exhibition, visit www.highwaysengland.co.uk/a303-sparkford-to-ilchester and follow the recommended links

£4,000 has been raised for Parkinson’s UK by Bruton Cycling Club. Ten of its members raised the money by cycling 200 miles from Kent to Somerset.

A new café and wine bar has opened in Bruton. Michelin star chef Merlin Labron-Johnson and owner of the Osip restaurant in Bruton has converted the Old Pharmacy building in the High Street into a new eating and drinking venue.

More from News

Friday 23rd January

New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.
Thursday 22nd January

A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more
Wednesday 21st January

Councillors have approved controversial plans to build four large carnival club sheds near Ilminster. Somerset Council says there's an increasing gap between the cost of education and the amount the government provides to run local schools. The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, aimed at protecting homes and businesses from flooding, has been reduced in size...and more
Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more
Monday 19th January

The government is facing increasing pressure to clarify whether it will order new medium-lift helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. Somerset Council is spending £5 million on new laptops. A new singing group is being set up in Yeovil for people living with dementia...and more
Friday 16th January

The go-ahead has been given to build 200 new homes at Ilchester. Taunton Town Council is increasing its share of the Council Tax by 3 per cent a year. Somerset is featured in a new Agatha Christie drama being shown on Netflix from this week...and more
Thursday 15th January

The company behind a proposed tidal lagoon between Watchet and Minehead says it could create up to eight thousand jobs. A third councillor on Somerset Council has joined Reform UK. St Margaret's Hospice says this year’s Christmas tree collection scheme raised forty-seven thousand pounds...and more.
Wednesday 14th January

The union representing workers at Leonardo in Yeovil says it needs a clear answer from the government on whether the Yeovil factory will be awarded a contract to build new medium-lift helicopters for the RAF. Somerset Council says more support will be provided to foster carers. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels...and more