Monday 13th July

Monday, 13 July 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council says it's lost £91 million on commercial property investments. The former Clay Pigeon Karting Track near Yeovil is to be turned into a holiday park. The fire service is warning the dry conditions continue to pose a risk of grass fires... and more

Somerset Council says it's lost £91 million on commercial property investments it inherited from Somerset’s former district councils. Since becoming a unitary authority in 2023, Somerset Council has sold 28 of its 48 investment properties, raising more than £125 million. While several properties sold above their market valuation, falling property values and borrowing costs led to overall losses. The council says rental income means the programme has still delivered a positive return of more than £17 million, with proceeds helping fund frontline services.

Planning permission has been granted to turn the former Clay Pigeon Karting Track, off the A37 on the Somerset and Dorset border, into a holiday park. The development will include 226 holiday chalets and a caravan park on land previously used by Clay Pigeon Raceway and the former shooting ground. The venue is well known as an early training ground for Formula One drivers Lando Norris and Jenson Button.

The fire service is warning that the dry conditions continue to pose a risk of grass fires. It follows a blaze in Ilminster at the weekend in which an electricity pylon, conifer trees, and a hedgerow were damaged.

Drivers are being advised that the main A361 road at Burrowbridge on the Somerset Levels is now closed for new traffic lights to be installed at the bridge. The route linking the A39 towards Street and Glastonbury with the A372 to Langport will remain closed until the end of September. The existing kerbs near the bridge are also being widened as part of the work.

Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to its Council Tax Reduction Scheme for working-age adults on low incomes. The authority says the changes would reduce support for some households to help prioritise funding for the most vulnerable. The consultation is open until the 28th of September.

And one of Somerset's best-loved walking routes is in the running to be named one of Britain's favourites. The Strawberry Line on the Mendips has been shortlisted by the Ramblers Association in a nationwide competition. Public voting is now open, with the winner due to be announced in November.

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Tuesday 18th August

People across Somerset are banned from today from using hosepipes to water gardens, clean windows or cars, or fill swimming and paddling pools. More cases of the potentially deadly livestock disease Bluetongue have been confirmed in Somerset. Work is underway to improve disabled access at Holyrood Academy in Chard... and more
Monday 17th August

Wessex Water, who supplies almost all homes and businesses in Somerset, has introduced a hosepipe ban effective from midnight tonight. A sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary has been repaired, two years after it was first discovered. A Wildcat helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton has taken part in the annual passing-out parade at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth... and more
Friday 14th August

Police are investigating an incident in which obscene words were scratched onto the World War One memorial at Ham Hill. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has repeated his call for the upgrade of the town’s police station to include a custody suite. A Somerset carnival club is building a specially adapted float to allow a wheelchair user and her assistance dog to take part in this year’s carnival circuit...and more
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