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.