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.

More from News

Thursday 8th October

Somerset Council is to press ahead with increases to parking charges at its car parks. Police say increasing numbers of young people in Somerset are riding e-scooters illegally. Wells market has received national recognition...and more
Wednesday 7th October

Somerset Council says it's started talks about what do with the Brewhouse theatre in Taunton after it closes at the end of the month. A Chard man has been sentenced for keeping multiple different dogs despite being banned from doing so. NHS van drivers based in Bridgwater who supply hospitals in Somerset with essential medical equipment will walk out on strike next week... and more
Tuesday 6th October

Prince William is visiting Ilminster today, where he will launch ‘Ready Together’, a new initiative helping communities prepare for emergencies. Barwick and Stoford Primary School near Yeovil says it's confident of emerging stronger after being placed in special measures by Ofsted. Vapes and weight-loss jabs are putting workers at recycling centres in Somerset at risk after being wrongly thrown away...and more
Monday 5th October

Ilminster is gearing up for a Royal visit by Prince William tomorrow. Plans have been approved to convert the former Battens Solicitors building on Princes Street in Yeovil into 21 flats. A 'Just Giving' page has opened for making donations towards Ilminster Carnival which, on Saturday, had to be cancelled midway through due to a gas leak...and more
Friday 2nd October

An investigation's underway after two people died in a collision near Taunton. A Somerset-based charity has warned of the risks of fuel poverty this winter. A Somerset healthcare service has been recognised with a national award.... and more.
Thursday 1st October

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.
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.