Local News Tuesday 9th November

Tuesday, 9 November 2021 06:00

Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil say winning an order to supply the AW 149 helicopter to the British government is vital to the future of the Yeovil factory. A public inquiry starts in Castle Cary today into controversial plans to build 200 new houses on a greenfield site next to Castle Cary railway station. New LED flood warning signs are being installed in Martock. Lyde Road in Yeovil between Sherborne Road and Buckland Road will shut from today for 18-days for laying new cabling...and more.

Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil say winning an order to supply the AW 149 helicopter to the British government is vital to the future of the Yeovil factory. The 149 is being promoted to replace the RAF’s ageing fleet of Puma helicopters. Managing Director of Leonardo’s in Yeovil, Nick Whitney, believes the 149 meets all the MOD’s requirements. A decision on the contract is due at any time.

A public inquiry starts in Castle Cary today into controversial plans to build 200 new houses on a greenfield site next to Castle Cary railway station. The inquiry’s being held after the plans were rejected by South Somerset District Council and both Castle Cary and Ansford parish councils on the grounds the development would place an added burden on the area’s local infrastructure. The inquiry is being held at Caryford Hall and is scheduled to last for four days.

New LED flood warning signs are being installed in Martock. They're being put up along Stoke Road, and are linked to river level sensors. Martock's flood warden coordinator, Gordon Swindells says it's a really dangerous stretch of road when it floods.

Lyde Road in Yeovil between Sherborne Road and Buckland Road will shut from today for 18-days for laying new cabling. The work’s being carried out by Jurassic Fibre to provide faster broadband in Yeovil.

People in Chard say they’re looking forward to using the town’s new leisure centre that opened to the public yesterday. It has a five-lane swimming pool, learner pool, gym, soft play area and café. The centre is run by Freedom Leisure in partnership with South Somerset District Council and has cost 16-and-a-half-million pounds to build.

In local sport, Yeovil Town have been drawn at home against MK Dons or Stevenage in the Second Round of the FA Cup.

More from News

Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,