Local News Tuesday 16th August

Tuesday, 16 August 2022 06:00

A yellow warning is in place for thunderstorms across Somerset today and tomorrow. Plans have been submitted to radically alter a former restaurant building in Yeovil town centre. The conservation group, the People's Trust for Endangered Species, is asking people in Somerset to help carry out a wildlife survey. A former garage on the A30 between Yeovil and Sherborne has been put up for sale with development potential...and more.

A yellow warning is in place for thunderstorms across Somerset today and tomorrow. The Met Office says while some places will stay dry, others will experience heavy downpours, with torrential rain causing disruption. Meanwhile, Devon and Somerset Fire Service say they’ve been fully stretched dealing with grass fires brought on by the extremely dry conditions. They say the past few days have been some of their busiest ever.

Plans have been submitted to radically alter a former restaurant building in Yeovil town centre. The property at 66 Middle Street, opposite the old bandstand area, has stood empty for three years, but could now have two new upper floors added for making into flats. Two other floors in the building would also be converted to flats under an application to South Somerset District Council. Eleven flats in total would be created with the ground floor retained for serving food and drink.

The conservation group, the People's Trust for Endangered Species, is asking people in Somerset to help carry out a wildlife survey to reflect the habits of wild animals during this year’s very hot summer. They’re looking to gather data on how animals have been coping with the extremely high temperatures.

A former garage on the A30 between Yeovil and Sherborne has been put up for sale with development potential.

The 1.3-acre site, which was formerly the Forward Garage, is advertised with a guide price of £650,000.

A partially sighted pensioner from Somerset is planning to complete a 900-mile road trip to raise money for the charity, Somerset Sight. Graham Salter is due to set off next month in his vintage Austin 7, travelling from Lands End to John O'Groats. Graham says every penny he raises will go towards helping Somerset Sight with their good work.

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Friday 31st July

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says July has been its busiest month ever for emergency calls. Police have recovered a 1970s Austin Mini pick-up stolen in Shepton Mallet. A specialist spinal injuries service at Yeovil Hospital has treated three hundred patients in its first year... and more
Thursday 30th July

The Environment Agency has declared a drought across Somerset as the hot weather takes its toll on the county's water supplies. Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic accident near Crewkerne. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow...and more
Wednesday 29th July

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with a series of moped thefts in Chard. A combine harvester has been destroyed in a farm fire at Forton, near Chard. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow... and more
Tuesday 28th July

The former Beales department store in Yeovil could be brought back into use as part of a wider masterplan for the future of the town. A yellow heat health alert is in place across Somerset from nine o’clock this morning until nine o’clock on Friday morning. A Somerset farmer says this year is the driest on his land since 1976... and more
Monday 27th July

Gooch and Housego, based in Ilminster and one of the town’s biggest employers, has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal to an American private equity firm. A father who shook his four-week-old baby to death at a house in Chard has been sentenced to life in prison. A doctor who works for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is one of five people to have jointly set a new world record for rowing around Great Britain... and more
Friday 24th July

Avon and Somerset Police are warning people to watch out for scammers posing as Amazon. The CEO of the company that provides Somerset's recycling is warning of a major incident if people continue to put used batteries in waste bins. A former Yeovil pub could be demolished to make way for a major hotel expansion.
Thursday 23rd July

The West Country is officially one step closer to being declared in drought. Somerset Council says it's remodelling its service after a children's home was closed following an inspection. A new McDonald's planned off the M5 at Bridgwater could create up to 120 local jobs... and more
Wednesday 22nd July

Two men have been jailed for stealing electrical items and cash from a property in Yeovil. Somerset Council has defended its use of Yeovil’s new performance area in The Triangle, in Lower Middle Street. Tintinhull Primary School, near Yeovil, has won a top national award for outdoor play... and more