Wednesday 22nd October

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .

A major house builder in the South West, Chris Winter of West of England Developments, says government targets for new house building in Somerset are unrealistic. The government plans to build one and a half million new homes in England by 2029, with 75,000 of them in Somerset. It represents a 41% increase in the county's house building target..

Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil following the collapse into administration of its owners, DC London Pie Ltd. The Yeovil outlet, located on the Old Town Station Leisure Park, near Cineworld, is one of sixty-eight Pizza Huts closing across the UK, putting 1,200 jobs at risk.

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has accused the Chancellor of ‘turning her back’ on farmers. It follows reports that Rachel Reeves won’t amend or repeal the Family Farm Tax in next month’s Budget. Mr Dance says that for the government to press on with a tax that is causing real harm to family farms is utterly foolish.

The go-ahead has been given to build 43 new homes in Queen Camel. The homes will be built on land off West Camel Road, opposite Rectory Close. A new junction will be created to provide access to the development, along with new pavements laid along West Camel Road, which will give access to Queen Camel Medical Centre and Countess Gytha Primary School. Developers at Ashford Homes say construction is expected to begin early in the New Year.

A Yeovil care home has been rated as ‘overall good’ by the Care Quality Commission. Springview care home in Preston Grove provides support to people with learning and physical disabilities. Following an inspection in 2021, the home was found in breach of a regulation relating to staffing. The new report, based on an inspection in August this year, found “significant improvements” had been made, and that the home was no longer in breach.

Staff at Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow, spending the night alongside rescue dogs. The centre provides refuge and rehabilitation to more than 300 animals, with tomorrow’s event raising much-needed funds to pay towards running costs.

More from News

Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,