Monday 8th December

Monday, 8 December 2025 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more

Plans to build 150 new homes and commercial premises on the former Horlicks factory site in Ilminster have been scrapped. Dairygold Co-operative Society Ltd first submitted a planning application to redevelop the site on Station Road in January 2019, followed by a revised proposal in November 2024. But now, without explanation, the Irish-based developer has formally withdrawn the application.

A Somerset councillor has been jailed for two years and two months for his part in a climate demonstration on the M25. Michael Dunk, who represents Frome West for the Green Party, was part of a group of Just Stop Oil protestors who climbed gantries on the M25 in November 2022. They were protesting about the government's plans to license 100 new oil and gas projects. Three of his fellow campaigners were also jailed, while two were given suspended sentences.

Ilminster is on a list of places identified by Marks & Spencer for a new Food Store. Bridgwater and Wellington are also on the list of 12 places in Somerset where the retailer would like to open a food store. M&S says it’s looking for an empty retail unit in Ilminster on a two-acre site, with 21,500 square feet of floor space, parking for 150 vehicles, and easy access to all major roads.

Poundland has announced it’s closing its store in Middle Street, Yeovil. The company, which new owners acquired in June this year, is closing around 70 outlets nationwide, but will keep the Poundland store on the Houndstone Business Park in Yeovil open.

Yeovil Hospital's maternity unit may reopen in stages rather than all at once, according to Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. The special care baby unit and inpatient maternity service at Yeovil Hospital were closed in May following safety concerns. It was later announced that the unit would reopen in April next year. Now, the Trust has said it can’t confirm that the entire facility will reopen on the same day or whether a graded approach will be taken to ensure staff and patient safety. Since the closure, 453 babies have been delivered that would otherwise have been born at Yeovil. Of these, 215 were born at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester, 178 at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, 31 were home births, and 29 were at other hospitals, including the Royal United in Bath.

The RSPCA is appealing for people to provide temporary homes to the many hundreds of cats in their care. The number of cats being cared for by the charity has doubled over the past five years to 1,700. The RSPC says it needs people to act as car foster carers for which they will pay all bills, including vet expenses, and food costs. More information can be found on the RSCPA website.

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Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more