Thursday 5th October

Thursday, 5 October 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The planned £29 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre has been put on hold. A new primary school will no longer be built as part of a major housing development planned for Ilminster. Castle Cary is celebrating winning gold at the South West in Bloom awards...and more.

The planned £29 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre has been put on hold. Members of the Executive at Somerset Council voted for the delay after being told the plan was no longer affordable and that a loan of £17 million, costing one million pounds a year in interest, would be needed to carry out the upgrade. A new business case will now be drawn up aimed at finding ways of improving the Octagon at a lower cost.

A new primary school will no longer be built as part of a major new housing development planned for Ilminster. Persimmon Homes South West intended to build 400 new homes and a primary school on land south of Canal Way. The developer now says it will build 360 new homes on the site. Somerset Council, who have yet to approve the plans, say a new school will not be delivered as part of the development but that a nearby school will be extended instead.

The Conservatives have chosen local councillor, Faye Purbrick, to stand as their candidate in the newly created Glastonbury and Somerton parliamentary constituency. The constituency takes in a large part of the existing Somerton and Frome constituency, including Bruton, Castle Cary, Langport, Somerton, Glastonbury, and the parts of Street that are currently part of the Wells constituency. Faye Purbrick, who represents Yeovil South on Somerset Council, stood for the Conservatives in the recent Somerton and Frome by-election that was won for the Lib Dems by Sarah Dyke.

Castle Cary is celebrating winning gold at the South West in Bloom awards having entered the competition for the first time this year. Yeovil was the overall winner of the St. Bridget Cup and winner of the Tourism Trophy for Best Judges Portfolio. Haselbury Plucknett was the overall winner of the Mary Mortimer Cup.

More from News

Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more