Tuesday 26th March

Tuesday, 26 March 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

More than two hundred and fifty new homes are to be built on the northern edge of Yeovil following a successful appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. The Shindig Music Festival, held on the Dillington Estate near Ilminster, has announced that this year's event will be their last. A hip replacement procedure at Yeovil Hospital, that can be done without patients needing an overnight hospital stay, has won a top award...and more.

More than two hundred and fifty new homes are to be built on the northern edge of Yeovil following a successful appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. Developers, Yeovil LVA put forward outline plans in April 2022 to build the homes on the northern side of the A359 Mudford Road. The developer lodged an appeal in October 2023 on the grounds of non-determination, arguing that Somerset Council and its predecessor, South Somerset District Council had taken too long to make a decision. Following a public inquiry in January this year, the Planning Inspectorate has ruled in the developer's favour, with more detailed proposals expected later in the year.

A Somerset wildlife charity is highlighting the risk that litter poses to wildlife after a fox was found dead with a crisp packet stuck on its head. Secret World Wildlife Rescue was called out to help the animal but their intervention came too late.

The Shindig Music Festival, held on the Dillington Estate near Ilminster, has announced that this year's event will be their last. Organisers say the challenging landscape of the events industry and a lack of government support, have made it increasingly difficult for independent festivals to operate. This year, the Shindig Festival will celebrate its 10th birthday when it takes place at the end of May.

Purple chairs are being installed in libraries across Somerset to provide a safe space for women and girls to get information about health and wellbeing. They can be found in seven libraries, including Chard and Yeovil. There will also be support and resources available on issues such as breast cancer, cervical screening and domestic abuse.

A Yeovil man was among three people arrested following an alleged assault in Wimborne. Dorset Police say it resulted in another man sustaining a broken jaw and needing hospital treatment. Following an appeal for witnesses, Police arrested three people, including an eighteen-year-old from Yeovil and two other men who live in the Blandford area. All three have been released under investigation, as enquiries continue.

A hip replacement procedure at Yeovil Hospital, that can be done without patients needing an overnight hospital stay, has won a top award. The procedure involves patients being assessed, operated on, and discharged from hospital on the same day. The procedure took home first prize in the ‘Best Elective Care Recovery Initiative’ category at the national HSJ Partnership Awards held in London.

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Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more
Wednesday 3rd June

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assaulting three police officers. Somerset Council has begun legal action to recover more than £320,000 owed by housing developers. The line-up has been announced for this year’s Ilminster Midsummer Experience...and more