Thursday 6th November

Thursday, 6 November 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The Supreme Court has ruled that building thousands of homes in Somerset has been "unlawfully held up". The Head of Holyrood Academy in Chard has described the building of a new primary school in the town as an ‘incredible opportunity’. A pub near Chard has been named one of the best in Britain by The Good Food Guide...and more

The Supreme Court has ruled that building thousands of homes in Somerset has been "unlawfully held up" by issues surrounding phosphate mitigation. Around 12,000 homes are currently held up by the ongoing phosphates crisis, with developers needing to secure additional mitigation to prevent any net increase in phosphates on the Somerset Levels. Developers, C. G. Fry and Sons, have been engaged in a legal battle with Somerset Council over phosphate mitigation, a challenge that was considered by the Supreme Court earlier this year. Judges have now ruled in the developer's favour, potentially unlocking thousands of new homes and creating a major shift in how phosphate mitigation is delivered in Somerset.

A man who lives in Ilton has been given a two-year suspended jail sentence for sexual offences. Appearing at Taunton Crown Court, Ricky Anderson, aged 36, was found guilty of four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old. He was also given a sexual harm prevention order and told to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

The Head of Holyrood Academy in Chard, Dave MacCormick, has described the building of a new primary school in the town as an ‘incredible opportunity’. The school will be built on land adjacent to Holyrood Academy in Zembard Lane and is scheduled to open by 2028. Mr MacCormick says the school, which is being delivered as part of building 2,700 new homes on the eastern side of Chard, will provide young people in the town with the best possible start in life.

Somerset’s four Pupil Referral Units are to undergo a period of change. At a meeting of Somerset Council’s Executive, it was agreed that the four PRUs should amalgamate under the management of two headteachers. Somerset Council says the re-organisation is aimed at improving the quality of alternative provision for young people in the County.

A pub near Chard says it is “delighted” after being named one of the best in Britain by The Good Food Guide. The Cotley Inn in Wambrook has been placed 80th in the guide’s list of the Top 100 Best Pubs in Britain.

St Peter’s Church at Horton has been decorated with poppies by the local Horton and District WI. Members, family, and friends of the WI have created a display featuring 1,600 poppies, with assistance from the 1st Ilton and Broadway Scout Group and the Cubs, who crafted large felt poppies and a wooden poppy emblem to be displayed in the church.

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Wednesday 28th January

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Tuesday 27th January

Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more
Monday 26th January

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Friday 23rd January

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Thursday 22nd January

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Wednesday 21st January

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Tuesday 20th January

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