News Friday 24th January

Friday, 24 January 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Plans have been submitted to build a David Lloyd Health and Fitness Club in Yeovil. Carers in Somerset say spending cuts to mental health support services will be hugely damaging. People with memories of Somerset women's cricket side are being asked to take part in a project to preserve its history. Two of our local restaurants have been listed in the top 100 restaurants in the UK...and more

Plans have been submitted to build a David Lloyd Health and Fitness Club in Yeovil. The complex, to be sited on the southeast corner of the Bunford Business Park off Watercombe Lane, includes indoor and outdoor swimming pools, three outdoor tennis courts, gym and spa facilities, a children’s soft play area, and lounge facilities and terrace. Somerset Council has yet to say when the plans will go before the Somerset Planning Committee for a decision. The application is submitted on behalf of David Lloyd Leisure Ltd and the Abbey Manor Group Ltd, owners of the Bunford Business Park site. David Lloyd, the former professional tennis player, set up his Leisure business in 1982. Today, he operates 134 clubs across the UK and Europe, employing eight thousand staff.

Carers in Somerset say spending cuts to mental health support services will be hugely damaging. Cuts to the mental health carers assessment service follow a review, which Somerset Council claims will deliver best value. Mel Warburton looks after her daughter, who has several physical and mental health conditions. She’s unconvinced the changes will work better for carers like her.

A housing development in Keinton Mandeville could still go ahead after an appeal was lodged. Galion Homes put forward plans in 2021 to build 30 homes to the north of Church Street. Somerset Council’s Planning South Committee voted to refuse the application in December saying the houses were unwanted and would damage the character of the area. Now, the developer has appealed the decision, with the Planning Inspectorate expected to make a ruling on the application later in the year.

A new care home is set to open in March in Yeovil. Potter House on Highfield Road, part of Oyster Care Homes, offers en-suite rooms, bistro, garden room, hair salon, and cinema room.

People with memories of Somerset women's cricket side are being asked to take part in a project to preserve its history. Researcher, Dr Hannah Thompson-Radford, who’s leading the project, is asking for help filling in blanks on scorecards which only feature a player’s initials instead of their full name.

Two of our local restaurants have been listed in the top 100 restaurants in the UK, by the food magazine, SquareMeals. Osip in Bruton was singled out for making its dishes using local ingredients, while Holm in South Petherton was praised for its seasonal tasting menus.

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