Wednesday 4th October

Wednesday, 4 October 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Last night’s meeting of Yeovil Town Council, called to discuss giving financial support to the £29M project to re-build Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre had to be abandoned before it had started. Concern has been expressed about land at Bruton School for Girls being used for new housing. Homeowners in Chard are being offered the use of a free water butt to help cut the risk of flooding...and more.

Last night’s meeting of Yeovil Town Council, called to discuss giving financial support to the £29 million project to re-build Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre had to be abandoned before it had started due to the Council Chamber not being big enough to accommodate all the people wanting to attend. An impromptu meeting was held outside the Town House at which Council Leader Graham Oakes apologised for the upset and said a bigger venue would now be booked for holding the meeting at a later date. Meanwhile, the Executive at Somerset Council meets today to decide the next steps with the Octagon project which has run into problems due to increased building costs and higher interest rates.

Concern has been expressed about land at Bruton School for Girls being used for new housing. The school, which closed in the summer of last year, is currently on offer with a guide price of £9 million. Chairman of Pitcombe Parish Council, Richard Waller, says he’s concerned about the impact a new housing development on the site would have on local services.

Rail operators in Somerset are warning of delays and cancellations today due to further strike action by members of ASLEF. South Western Railway and GWR say only a reduced timetable will operate on both networks.

Homeowners in Chard are being offered the use of a free water butt to help cut the risk of flooding. The butts, provided by Wessex Water, are being given to people living in the Crimchard and Glynswood areas of the town in the hope they reduce the build-up of surface water.

Work starts later this month on resurfacing the B3081 at Bruton. It starts on Monday, October 16th and will last until Monday, October 23rd with the road closed between 6.30 pm and 11.30 pm each evening.

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