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.

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Monday 15th September

NHS Somerset says it’s 'fully committed' to re-opening maternity services at Yeovil Hospital, but won't say when it will reopen. Water levels at Somerset's reservoirs have dropped below 50%, despite the recent heavy rain. A charity shop in Martock has reunited a long-lost compass with its owner after he lost it 70 years ago...and more
Friday 12th September

One of Somerset's most prominent horse trainers says planned tax increases on remote betting could be a ‘nail in the coffin’ for horse racing. An Ilchester man has been arrested in connection with a burglary in West Dorset. Somerset Council’s Chief Executive and other senior officers have been given a 3.2% pay rise...and more
Thursday 11th September

A bill put forward by Yeovil MP Adam Dance, calling for better awareness of pupil neurodivergent behaviour in schools, has passed its first reading in the Commons. Around 40 thousand people in Somerset could have undiagnosed high blood pressure. Dozens of bikers will take to the roads in Somerset this weekend in support of a breast cancer charity...and more
Wednesday 10th September

Yeovil Town Football Club has been given a two-year extension to buy back Huish Park from Somerset Council. A takeaway business in Bridgwater has been stripped of its licence after three employees were discovered working there illegally. A company in South Chard has been celebrating its 200th anniversary...and more
Tuesday 9th September

People are being asked to comment on proposals to introduce Sunday charges at Somerset Council-run car parks. A Pilton man has been jailed after cannabis valued at £28,500 was found at his home. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has started an appeal to raise £1 million...and more.
Monday 8th September

Farmers in Somerset will be driving their tractors to protest at Labour’s annual Party Conference in Liverpool later this month. A Somerset animal rescue centre says it’s dealing with a surge in the number of large dog breeds being surrendered or rehomed. The George Inn in Ilminster has announced that it will be reopening to customers on Monday, September 15th...and more
Friday 5th September

A large water leak in Yeovil closed part of Middle Street last night whilst repairs took place. A Somerset MP has been voicing his concerns over warnings of future flood dangers in the county. The Wincanton branch of Lidl could be demolished to be replaced with a bigger store...and more.
Thursday 4th September

A new leisure complex on the edge of Yeovil will be built, after plans were approved by Somerset Council. Landmarks across the south-west will be illuminated from Monday to mark Air Ambulance Week. YAOS are hoping to trace passengers stranded at Gander Airport in Newfoundland after the 9/11 attacks...and more.