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

Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more
Monday 20th April

Nearly one hundred roads in Somerset will be surface dressed this summer to prevent further damage. Almost all children starting primary school in Somerset in September have been offered a place at one of their top three school choices. People in Somerset are being asked to record wild mammals in gardens and other green spaces over the summer... and more