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.

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Wednesday 5th August

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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
Monday 3rd August

A yellow Heat Health Alert is in force across Somerset today. The swimming and leisure centre in Street remains closed following last Thursday's flooding in the plant room. Plans for a new primary school in Chard have been delayed until at least 2030... and more
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