Local News Thursday 25th May

Thursday, 25 May 2023 07:00

By Steve Haigh

Bridgwater is expected to be confirmed as the site to build a major new factory, making batteries for electric vehicles. Permission has been granted to convert the former village shop in Bradford Abbas into a home. A local man who set himself the task of climbing Mount Snowden, Scafell Pike, and Ben Nevis for charity, has completed the challenge in just twelve days...and more.

Bridgwater is expected to be confirmed as the site to build a significant new factory, making batteries for electric vehicles, creating nine thousand local jobs. The so-called Gigafactory will be located at the Gravity Business Park; a 635-acre "smart campus" currently under construction next to the M5 at Puriton. The Head of the Indian company, Tata, which owns Jaguar Land Rover, is due to meet with the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak next week to draft an agreement to build the Gigafactory in Bridgwater. It’s believed the government has offered Tata a subsidy of five-hundred-million pounds to build the plant in Somerset rather than in Spain.

Councillors have rejected plans for two new housing developments in South Somerset. Plans to build forty-nine homes in Horton near Ilminster, and sixty-seven homes close to Wadham School in Crewkerne, were turned down at a meeting of the South Planning Committee of Somerset Council. This, despite planning officers recommending the applications should be approved. A decision on a planning application to build ninety-five homes in the village of Tatworth, near Chard, was deferred.

Permission has been granted to turn the former village shop and post office in Bradford Abbas into a home. After the shop closed, The Old Post Office House in Church Road was used for tearoom and hairdressing business, but each closed due to a lack of trade.

A man from Barrington, who set himself the task of climbing Mount Snowden, Scafell Pike, and Ben Nevis for charity, has completed the challenge in just twelve days. Dean Lewis, who works in the ambulance service, was raising money for mental health charities.

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Wednesday 29th April

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Tuesday 28th April

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Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more