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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Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more