Local News Wednesday 10th August

Wednesday, 10 August 2022 06:00

Controversial plans to convert a former care home in Yeovil into a homeless hostel are due to be decided at a meeting tonight. A new report claims the freight industry in the southwest created over 11 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2019. Misterton Church of England First School is to re-open as an education centre for vulnerable children. A local motorist has been given a suspended prison sentence for drink driving and with the hot dry weather set to continue, more calls have been made to permanently ban disposable barbeques.

Controversial plans to convert a former care home in Yeovil into a homeless hostel are due to be decided at a meeting tonight. If the change of use is approved, Bournemouth Churches Housing Association will shut their current hostel in Newton Road in Yeovil town centre and convert the former Acacia Lodge care home on Henford Hill to accommodate thirty-nine homeless people. South Somerset District Council’s Area South Committee is being recommended the give the plans the go-ahead at tonight’s meeting. People who live in the area of Hendford Hill however are strongly opposed. They say a better solution would be to provide homeless people with accommodation in smaller units, spaced out around the town.

A new report claims the freight industry in the southwest created over 11 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2019. Twenty percent of those emissions were generated by empty lorries being driven on local roads. Lorna Hammond is Managing Director of Chard-based logistics firm C and D South West. She says they're trying to tackle emissions.

Misterton Church of England First School is to re-open as an education centre for vulnerable children. The school closed last year as part of controversial school reforms despite a campaign by local parents for it to be kept open. Pupils will attend lessons for two or three days each week, and spend the remaining time at mainstream schools.

A local motorist has been given a suspended prison sentence for drink driving. Caitlin Crisp of the High Street in West Coker was four times over the drink-drive limit when police found her slumped over the wheel of her car in Avishayes Road in Chard in July. Caitland, who pleaded guilty to the offence, was banned from driving for 32 months and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

With the hot dry weather set to continue, more calls have been made to permanently ban disposable barbeques. The Country, Land and Business Association is campaigning for all retailers to stop selling disposal barbeques to reduce the risk of wildfires.

More from News

Thursday 13th August

An Ilminster family is celebrating after winning one million pounds on the National Lottery. Police have released a picture of a man they want to speak to in connection with suspected frauds in Somerset. Somerset Council has opened a tendering process to find a main contractor for the £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon theatre... and more
Wednesday 12th August

Experts say with good visibility forecast for this evening, people across Somerset should have some of the best views of the solar eclipse anywhere in the UK. A Somerset councillor is calling for the Stop Line cycle route between Chard and Ilminster to be better supported. It's 40-years ago this week since a Lynx helicopter built in Yeovil set a new World Helicopter Speed Record... and more
Tuesday 11th August

Wessex Water says a hosepipe ban is possible if customers fail to cut their water usage. A record number of illegal dog fights were reported in Somerset last year. Yeovil Town's Mason Obeng has won the traditional sack of potatoes, given to the player who scores Yeovil's first goal of the new season, as a lucky omen... and more
Monday 10th August

A local councillor claims anti-social behaviour is putting people off coming into Yeovil town centre. South-West Water has announced a hosepipe ban in the Chard area. Great Western Railway has apologised after a wheelchair user from Chard became stuck at one of its stations... and more
Friday 7th August

Chard's biggest employer, Numatic International, makers of the Henry vacuum cleaner, has announced job cuts. A new Neighbourhood Plan for Hatch Beauchamp has officially been adopted. Two historic artefacts taken from Glastonbury Abbey more than 70 years ago have been returned...and more
Thursday 6th August

A local man and convicted former neo-Nazi, selected by the Conservatives to stand in Crewkerne South in next year’s local elections for a seat on Somerset Council, has pulled out after a backlash against his candidacy. A charity that runs children's homes in Somerset is terminating its contract early following a critical report by Ofsted...and more
Wednesday 5th August

Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner is backing the wider use of police drones in towns like Yeovil to help tackle crime. Visitor numbers at Somerset's tourist attractions are down by around sixty per cent so far this year. A gardening expert says it'll take much more than the occasional shower to revive Somerset's parched lawns, parks and open spaces...and more
Tuesday 4th August

A Somerset doctor is calling for better community eye care. People in Glastonbury and Street are benefiting from a new bus service to Castle Cary railway station. A sailor from South Petherton is celebrating after sailing around the world... and more