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

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