Monday 10th November

Monday, 10 November 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

It’s claimed Somerset Council has lost nearly £5 million selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. A car has been set on fire in a suspected arson attack in Shepton Mallet. A Crewkerne man says night-time noise from the town's Waitrose store is causing him and his family "sleep disturbance" ... and more.

It’s claimed Somerset Council has lost nearly £5 million selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. The former South Somerset District Council purchased the site on Middle Street for £7.65 million in 2017. Ownership was transferred to Somerset Council upon the closure of SSDC in 2023. Leader of the Conservative opposition group at Somerset Council, Councillor Diogo Rodrigues, claims Somerset Council has sold the Marks and Spencer building for £2.8m, representing a loss of £4.85m. Latest figures show that in 2024, Somerset Council sold properties for £76m that had originally cost £104m to purchase, resulting in a loss of £28 m.

A car has been set on fire in a suspected arson attack in Shepton Mallet. The incident occurred on Bruton Road in the early hours of Saturday. Police say the vehicle was completely burnt out.

Farmers and poultry producers in Somerset have been advised to move their birds indoors to help combat the spread of avian flu. The RSPB says its site at Ham Wall, near Glastonbury, remains closed. A former government adviser, Professor Ian Brown, says this year’s strain of the virus could be the most infectious yet.

Police have charged a second man with attempted murder after a gun was fired on the Lufton trading estate in Yeovil. James McGuinness, aged 30, has already appeared in court charged with attempted murder. Police say a second man, Junior Renford, aged 33, from Charlton in London, has also been charged with attempted murder. He’s due to appear at Taunton Crown Court on November 17th.

A Crewkerne man says noise from the town's Waitrose store is causing him and his family "sleep disturbance". Brian Noer, who lives on Bryants Row in Crewkerne, claims night-time operations at the store, including moving metal cages, unloading lorries, and ongoing refurbishment works, have led to his family suffering mental and physical distress. The environmental health department at Somerset Council is now investigating Mr Noer’s complaint.

More from News

Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
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
Monday 20th April

Nearly one hundred roads in Somerset will be surface dressed this summer to prevent further damage. Almost all children starting primary school in Somerset in September have been offered a place at one of their top three school choices. People in Somerset are being asked to record wild mammals in gardens and other green spaces over the summer... and more