Thursday 1st October

Thursday, 1 October 2026 06:30

765 new homes have been given planning permission on the edge of Yeovil. Somerset Council’s Executive will meet to consider new parking charges. Four of the county’s best military cadets have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant cadets... and more.

765 new homes along with a care home, community hall and primary school have been given planning permission on the edge of Yeovil. At a meeting on Tuesday, Councillors approved the proposal for land opposite the showground on Dorchester Road, which had first been put forward more than a decade ago.

A Somerset farmer says he missed out on £75,000 of government funding from a green scheme – because he was travelling to receive an award for eco-friendly practices. Tim Smith from East Coker started a funding application to the sustainable farming incentive scheme on his phone as soon as it went live during his journey to Sussex last week. But by the time he got to his hotel and set up his computer, the scheme had shut, with all £230 million available applied for by other applicants. In response, the government has said it developed a fairer system to reach more farmers, with nearly a billion pounds set to be invested over the next three years, but it is looking at alternatives to a first-come, first-served application process in the future.

Somerset Council’s Executive will meet next week to consider proposals for a revised and phased move to new parking charges across the county. The plans are intended to create a fairer and more consistent approach for motorists. There are currently different rates and approaches across 120 council-run chargeable car parks and the system hasn’t been reviewed since the creation of Somerset Council in 2023.

Four of the county’s best military cadets have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant cadets, after excelling in their roles and showing ‘remarkable’ leadership. Thomas Greaves from Castle Cary and Simon Simukaitis from Yeovil have been recognised, alongside Ewan Glossop from Bath and James Hargreaves from Tiverton. They will now assist Mohammed Saddiq,the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, at official engagements, serving as ambassadors for the cadet forces.

More from News

Wednesday 30th September

Police are appealing for a missing 17 year old from Castle Cary. A registered sex offender has been sentenced to 9 years in prison. A former Chard student who is one of six writers in the running to win this year's Booker Prize has paid tribute to his childhood teachers... and more.
Tuesday 29th September

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service say this summer saw record-breaking levels of demand. The charity that runs the Brewhouse Theatre has confirmed that it will definitely close. A Chard charity has launched a minibus service to improve community transport... and more.
Monday 28th September

Somerset Community Foundation says it has awarded more than £40 million in grants across the county. The family of a Somerset girl say they used AI to help diagnose her genetic condition. A property in Monks Dale, Yeovil is subject to a three month Closure Order... and more.
Friday 25th September

’20 Is Plenty’ is the message to drivers travelling through Langport. Chard’s Numatic manufacturing hub is marking 45 years of business with an investment of £85m into the company. Wessex Water tell us the hosepipe ban will remain across the region... and more.
Thursday 24th September

Somerset Council has approved a multi-million pound scheme to tackle flooding in the county. A person had to be transferred to hospital after an incident in Chard. A North Curry travellers’ site must be vacated by Christmas... and more.
Wednesday 23rd September

Police will take no further action after a year-long fraud probe in Glastonbury. Leonardo has chosen Somerset for its first international future talent programme. Three motorway services in Somerset have been rated as some of the worst in the country ... and more.
Tuesday 22nd September

Children with special needs could have a better chance of moving to a new school, without delay or disruption. A former Castle Cary pub is to be turned into a private house. Taunton's Brewhouse Theatre may have to close at the end of next month... and more.
Monday 21st September

Wessex Water's contacting large businesses, asking them to use less water. A ‘serious collision’ closed a stretch of the A30 in both directions yesterday afternoon.Two Somerset charities have benefitted from a combined £64,000, thanks to the Leonardo Rising Stars.