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

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more