Daniel Mumby

Network Rail plans a six-month upgrade of the Crewkerne Country End railway cutting to reduce the risk of soil movement and future line closures. The work will include vegetation clearance, soil nails, drainage and slope meshing, with the main phase scheduled from mid-September 2026 to the end of March 2027. Temporary closures will affect parts of Clapton Road and Cathole Bridge Road, alongside diversions, a 40mph speed limit and some overnight railway work.

The Somerset Rivers Authority has committed £300,000 for urgent river maintenance ahead of winter after the Environment Agency said it would stop maintaining a significant proportion of the county’s waterways because it received only 60% of its requested Treasury funding. Work by the Parrett and Axe Brue Internal Drainage Boards includes vegetation clearance and weed cutting across waterways in the Parrett and Axe Brue catchments. The programme is intended to improve water conveyance, reduce flooding risks, support drainage and water quality, and maintain water supplies for livestock and protected natural and historic sites, although not all identified locations may be reached.

Rural parts of Somerset may miss out on funding from new housing because the Community Infrastructure Levy is not applied consistently across the county. Since 2014, Somerset has collected nearly £51 million in CIL, but the funds can only be spent in the former district where they were raised, and much of the remaining money is already committed to projects in Taunton, Bridgwater and Yeovil. Councillors warned that smaller settlements and parish meetings may struggle to access or benefit from the funding, while council officers said CIL is intended for strategic infrastructure and cannot meet all local needs. The Labour government has abandoned plans to replace CIL, leaving the future of developer contributions uncertain.

Michael Dunk, a former Green councillor for Frome West, reflects on his arrest, imprisonment and failed appeal following his participation in a 2022 Just Stop Oil protest that disrupted the M25. He describes his long involvement in climate activism, argues that direct action was driven by concern for younger generations, and says his age and financial position made it easier for him to accept the consequences. His conviction and prison sentence forced him to resign from Somerset Council, triggering a Frome West by-election. Dunk says he likely would not have sought another term because of his age and health, but hopes his successor will keep climate change prominent on the council’s agenda.

Tyndale House on Preston Road in Yeovil, formerly a care home, has received permission from Somerset Council to revert from an 18-bed house in multiple occupation to a fully functioning care home. The property has housed eight residents since reopening in 2021, with Redleif Care providing care in practice while the facility operated under HMO arrangements linked to high post-pandemic care-home insurance costs. The operator plans to obtain appropriate insurance and register with the Care Quality Commission. No physical changes, staffing changes or additional traffic are expected, and council officers concluded that the proposal would not harm residential amenity, the area's character, highway safety or the environment.

Somerset Council is using a £3,408,603 Department for Education grant to carry out urgent repairs at 45 schools during the current financial year, with much of the work scheduled for the summer holidays. Projects will target critical issues including roofs, windows, heating, electrical systems, drainage, structural problems and playground surfaces. The council says the funding will address only the highest-priority needs, while schools requiring more extensive work may be considered for the government’s school rebuild programme. Details of individual repairs and allocations have not been released because of commercial sensitivity.

Somerset Council has received a formal best value notice from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government after an independent review found that its financial recovery and transformation efforts were progressing too slowly. The council is forecasting a £30 million overspend and has already received exceptional financial support for three consecutive years, with no fourth round expected. Council leaders acknowledge the severity of the position but say corrective work, including the appointment of a new chief financial officer and a single integrated improvement programme, is under way. Councillors and the chief executive warn that current measures may not be sufficient to prevent effective bankruptcy or direct government intervention, citing rising service demand, fragmented systems and problems integrating Microsoft Dynamics after local government reorganization. Progress will be reviewed by the council's audit committee by late November.

The Planning Inspectorate upheld Somerset Council’s refusal of a proposed 19-space long-stay car park for Bristol Airport passengers near Badgworth and the Mendip Hills. Inspector Juliet Rogers concluded that vehicle movements, including journeys during the airport’s early-morning and late-night operating hours, would create unacceptable noise and disturbance for nearby residents, particularly at night and during summer. The proposal’s planned shuttle service and electric-vehicle charging points did not overcome concerns that booking restrictions could not be reliably enforced and that the development would harm local living conditions.

Somerset Council’s planning committee approved changes to the drainage design for the proposed 252-home Oakmere Rise estate in Yeovil by seven votes to three, with one abstention. The approved wetlands at the northern end of the site will be replaced by sustainable urban drainage features including attenuation ponds and reed-beds, while the wetlands land will become public open space. Local flood and community groups argued that the change could reduce flood storage, biodiversity and protection for downstream villages, citing rainfall data that exceeded the figures used in the developer’s modelling. Supporters, including councillors Mike Stanton and Oliver Patrick, said the revised system would be more attractive, environmentally friendly and deliver a 20% biodiversity net gain. Decisions on the estate’s first phase and a new access crossroads are expected before Christmas.

A new seven-day 567 bus service links Glastonbury and surrounding villages with Castle Cary railway station, coordinating with every arriving and departing train. Somerset Council is funding a six-month trial, while the Glastonbury TrainLink group helped campaign for the route and raise funds. The route serves Street rather than Pilton, drawing criticism from some campaigners, but the council says the Street connection gives it a better chance of commercial viability. Officials and transport groups say the service will improve access to mainline rail, London visitors, Clarks Village and nearby communities, with continued operation dependent on sufficient passenger numbers.

Somerset Council’s planning committee refused plans for around 150 homes at Broadway Hill in Horton by five votes to three, after concerns about inadequate public transport, school capacity, healthcare provision, road safety and the cumulative effect of nearby developments were not resolved. Residents and councillors strongly opposed the scheme, while Councillor Sue Osborne said she would resign from the committee if it was approved. The proposal’s refusal will be referred to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government under the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, leaving open the possibility of a government call-in and public inquiry.

Somerset Council has paused its planned £13.7 million rebuild of Wellsprings Primary School in Taunton while it seeks funding through the Department for Education’s school rebuilding programme. The school’s Orlit-built assembly hall is considered at significant risk of collapse, prompting plans for a £500,000 modular replacement to provide interim space. The modular hall will proceed independently, while the scope and timing of any permanent rebuilding work will depend on the DfE’s decision, which is not expected until spring 2027.

Taunton Town Council has approved the transfer of a small area of land to support a safer, more direct walking and cycling route between the planned 713-home Quantock Park estate and Taunton town centre. The route will connect residents with local shops, schools, recreation facilities and existing crossings, reducing reliance on private cars. Bloor Homes is constructing the first 242 homes, while further phases and related Staplegrove East proposals are expected to undergo planning consideration. Traffic-calming and active-travel measures are required as part of the wider development.

Somerset Council and highways contractor Kiely Brothers will fully resurface heat-damaged sections of the A30 between East Chinnock and Haselbury Plucknett, between Crewkerne and Yeovil, overnight from September 1. A late-May heatwave caused the bitumen-based binder to soften and rise through the road surface, creating safety problems and delaying completion. The road will remain open to two-way traffic during the day, while overnight closures are expected to limit disruption. Kiely Brothers will pay for the additional repairs rather than local taxpayers.

Somerset Council officers faced criticism after accepting hospitality from organisations working with or seeking further work from the council. Disclosed items included a £40 dinner from consultancy Newton Europe, hospitality and accommodation connected to Centregreat, and tickets to a scrutiny and governance conference, while gifts from contractor Walters UK were declined because its contract was due for renewal. Standards committee member Alan Hemsley called the arrangements “dodgy” in appearance, and Reform UK councillor Bente Height said the council needed to reassure the public that officers were not being influenced. The council’s governance chief defended the disclosures as more transparent than those of many peer authorities, and a further report is scheduled for October.

Somerset Council has approved repairs to the fire alarm system at Frome Leisure Centre, costing up to £50,000 including VAT. Taunton-based Coomber Security Systems Ltd will carry out the work from 10 August to 28 September, with no expected closure or significant disruption. The centre is one of five facilities transferred to Freedom Leisure under a two-year, £215,000 rescue contract after Fusion Lifestyle entered administration. The contract is intended to stabilise the sites while a comprehensive audit informs plans for a longer-term leisure-services contract from 2028.

Somerset Council plans to sell Lawrence Farm near Wincanton and the A303 in four open-market lots to raise money for frontline services and its transformation programme. The property includes a farmhouse, buildings and 75 acres of land; the farmhouse has been vacant since March and the existing short-term tenancy ends in September. A proposed conversion of the farm buildings to housing was halted because of flood-risk concerns. The sale will include an uplift clause so the council can benefit if the land is later developed, but the expected proceeds have not been disclosed because of commercial sensitivity.

Somerset Council has extended its consultation on a new Local Plan until August 9 after residents requested more time to respond. The plan will guide housing, employment and infrastructure development through 2045, but the current consultation concerns the plan's scope, vision, engagement process and emerging work on sustainable locations rather than specific development sites. Further consultations are expected in 2027 and 2028, with formal adoption scheduled for March 2029.

Somerset Council will spend just over £23.2 million on parking enforcement under a new eight-year contract running through 2034. NSL, part of Marston Holdings, will continue providing traffic wardens, camera enforcement and penalty charge notice services. Annual costs will rise to more than £3.3 million after the first year because of market and operating pressures, with the council expecting increased parking-related income to offset the increase. The council rejected bringing the service in-house because of the complexity, setup costs and operational risks.

Somerset Council has formally adopted Hatch Beauchamp’s Neighbourhood Plan after residents strongly approved it in a June 25 referendum. The plan aims to preserve and enhance the historic village, protect valued facilities and green spaces, improve biodiversity, and guide development through 2040. It identifies a need for 27 affordable homes but does not allocate specific housing sites. Council leader Bill Revans questioned whether that figure would be enough to sustain the village primary school, while planning officers said the school serves a wider catchment and that affordable housing would prioritize people with local connections. The plan also reflects local concerns about transport and the proposed dualling of the A358.

Somerset Council is consulting on a new Local Plan that may need to accommodate up to 75,000 homes by 2045 under national housing targets. At a Taunton housing summit, MP Gideon Amos and councillors criticized the targets as overly centralized and questioned whether the county’s infrastructure, population trends and environment could support the required growth. Campaigners strongly opposed Taylor Wimpey’s proposed 7,000-home garden village near the Blackdown Hills, while panelists supported greater use of brownfield land and more affordable housing, particularly in rural communities. The initial consultation deadline was extended to August 9, with further consultations planned through 2028 and formal adoption targeted for March 2029.

Revised plans for the Staplegrove East development in Taunton propose 915 energy-efficient homes, including 15% affordable housing with the possibility of increasing that proportion to 30% if additional funding is secured. The scheme also includes a 420-pupil primary school, employment and community space, a spine road, open space, sports pitches, allotments, wetlands and improved walking and cycling connections to Kingston St Mary. Stonewater and PM Asset Management amended the proposals following a public consultation attended by more than 220 people. Somerset Council's planning committee west is expected to decide on the application early in the new year.

Somerset councillor Henry Hobhouse criticised the slow handling of suspected suicides on the M5, comparing it unfavourably with the British Transport Police’s response to railway incidents. Avon and Somerset Constabulary and councillor Andy Dingwall rejected the comparison, citing major legal and investigative differences between road and rail cases. Councillors also pressed for preventative measures on M5 bridges, while National Highways said it had assessed more than 2,200 nearby structures to identify vulnerable locations. The discussion highlighted both the operational difficulties of suicide investigations and efforts to reduce opportunities for people in crisis to reach danger points.

Taylor Wimpey has revealed a masterplan for a garden village of around 7,000 homes east of Taunton Racecourse, following an FOI request by the Save the Blackdown Vale campaign. The proposal includes neighbourhood hubs, healthcare facilities, primary and possibly secondary schools, sustainable transport, and more than half the site as green space, while avoiding the formal boundary of the Blackdown Hills. Campaigners and former MP Rebecca Pow argue that the development would damage a protected rural landscape and urge residents to submit objections. The Somerset Local Plan consultation has been extended to August 9, with further consultation rounds planned before formal adoption in March 2029.

A hay bale was set alight near Wellington’s historic Tonedale Mill, prompting Wellington Town Council to warn parents about the dangers of children starting fires in open spaces. The blaze was quickly reported and extinguished after Anita Roy of Transition Town Wellington alerted firefighters. The incident comes as Somerset Council abandons its original Tonedale Mill regeneration project and redirects Levelling Up Fund money to the council-owned Tone Works site, where asbestos removal and essential repairs are required.

Somerset Council will spend up to £500,000, funded through Department for Education grants, to replace the unsafe hall at Wellsprings Primary School in Taunton. The existing Orlit prefabricated-concrete structure has deteriorated and was deemed at significant risk of collapse, forcing it to close and depriving pupils of space for assemblies, PE and other activities. A 150-square-metre, wheelchair-accessible modular hall will be built on part of the school playground, although the council has not said when construction will begin.

Somerset Council is working with the private owners of Yeovil’s former Beales department store at 23–25 High Street to bring the vacant Grade II-listed building back into use. Plans submitted by Denners Yeovil Ltd propose 27 one- and two-bedroom flats across three floors, including nine affordable homes, while retaining commercial space on the ground floor. The proposal forms part of the council’s wider Yeovil town-centre masterplan and Yeovil Refresh regeneration programme, although a decision date has not been given.

Somerset Council is spending £36,960 on private security, including fencing, to protect 36 vacant flats on Duke Street in Taunton. Residents were moved into temporary accommodation in 2025 because of serious concealed pipework problems, and the council is still assessing the full repairs and improvements required. The contract with Exeter-based W4G Fire & Security Ltd runs from June 2026 to March 2027, while the council considers the long-term future of the block.

Somerset Council was unable to purchase Yeovil’s former Poundland store for the Yeovil Refresh regeneration programme due to new restrictions on commercial property acquisitions and changing financial conditions. Councillor Lucy Trimnell criticised the impact of the town centre works and the appearance of the closed store, while council leader Bill Revans confirmed the site remains in private ownership and that attempts to contact the owner have been unsuccessful. He added that the public screen at the Triangle has not been used for major events because of safety and licensing requirements, though the space remains available for hire.

A new developer seeking to complete the stalled Exmoor Gate housing project in Minehead has requested removal of all affordable housing requirements, citing rising construction costs, reduced sales values and overall scheme unviability. The original developer, Stratton Land Ltd., became insolvent after cash‑flow problems, leaving half-finished homes on the site. A viability assessment presented by the prospective developer’s representative asserts that even with zero affordable homes, the project remains marginal. Local councillor Marcus Kravis previously suggested the council acquire the site for low-cost housing, while registered providers reportedly showed no interest in taking on affordable units. Somerset Council will decide on the request later in the summer.

Local councillors approved revised plans for 38 homes and a convenience store on the edge of Othery after the developer reduced the proposal from 46 homes. Sixteen of the properties will be affordable and prioritised for people with local connections, with additional funding allocated to NHS services. Parish representatives raised concerns about village overexpansion, housing mix and road safety, while councillors cited housing supply obligations and village sustainability in support of the scheme. The planning committee approved the project seven to one, with detailed design due in a future application.

Somerset Council has received a government-issued best value notice following an independent review that found significant weaknesses in leadership and financial management. The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government cited slow progress in stabilising the council’s finances and outlined steps required to accelerate improvements, particularly in key services and governance. Council leaders acknowledged the seriousness of the warning and committed to constructive action, while appointing Elizabeth Watkin as the new chief financial officer to strengthen financial oversight. Opposition parties expressed concerns over the council’s performance but supported efforts to restore financial stability. A formal report and further financial updates are expected in the coming months.

A Somerset housing estate remains incomplete after 13 years due to unresolved legal agreements between developer Malcolm Lippiatt Homes and Somerset Council. Councillor Dawn Denton highlighted hazards caused by unfinished roads, pavements, and street lighting, citing injuries to residents. The council states progress is stalled because the developer has not provided required drainage and technical information. A similar delay is affecting a separate housing site in Martock. Councillor Richard Wilkins apologised for residents’ frustration but said the council cannot compel the developer to act more quickly, with key agreements pending technical approval and updated documentation.

Local officials honored former councillor John Coles following his death, highlighting his long service to Glastonbury through roles on Mendip District Council and Glastonbury Town Council, including two terms as mayor. Councillors from multiple parties praised his dedication, integrity, and strong ties to the community. His funeral is scheduled for July 31 in Glastonbury, with the town marking his passing by flying the Town Hall flag at half‑mast.

Residents of Hillhead Cottages in Taunton report severe disruption from construction of 242 new homes at the Staplegrove West development, citing dust, noise, vibration and damage risk to a century‑old hedgerow. They accuse Bloor Homes’ contractors of failing to control dust and breaching planning conditions, while the company says work aligns with approved plans and an independent ecologist will assess hedge impacts. Bloor Homes plans increased dust‑suppression measures and states it has responded to community concerns as construction continues on the wider 1,400‑home Staplegrove extension.

A decision on future pharmacy provision in Wellington has been postponed after too few members of the Somerset health board attended a key meeting. Local campaigners highlighted a sharp rise in online prescription use and reduced face‑to‑face access following recent pharmacy closures, urging an immediate supplementary statement to address service gaps. Officials stated that such a statement cannot legally determine deficits and confirmed that a planned fourth pharmacy is under appeal. The board will now revisit the pharmaceutical needs assessment at its rescheduled September meeting.

Taunton Town Council approved up to £25,000 for a feasibility study to accelerate plans for a community hub within the Orchard Grove housing development, where slow housing build‑out has delayed services. The study will examine local needs, site requirements, layouts, costs, funding and planning considerations. Somerset Council previously warned that facilities may not be viable until around 1,000 homes are occupied. Current active‑travel routes and a recent consultation on traffic restrictions will inform future decisions on improving access for residents.

Somerset Council faces losses of nearly £92 million from commercial property investments originally funded through Public Works Loans Board borrowing by former district councils. Around 60 percent of the assets have been sold, generating £125 million—slightly above original valuations—yet still resulting in large net losses once borrowing costs are included. Only a few properties produced net financial gains when rental income was considered. The council continues selling remaining assets while managing more than £1 billion in overall debt, though it is forecast to decline. After April 2027, proceeds from asset sales will no longer be allowed to support front-line services without special government approval.

A new civic square at Taunton’s Orchard Grove development will open on July 11 with a community event offering free ice creams to the first 100 attendees. The consortium behind the 2,000‑home project is promoting the space as a central gathering point for residents, with activities including crafts, games and choir performances. Ongoing construction includes new homes, commercial space, and a care home, while additional housing and a proposed park are awaiting planning decisions from Somerset Council.

Plans have been submitted to build 24 additional homes in Ilton, Somerset, following the recent completion of 15 nearby properties. The proposal from Otter Construct Ltd. includes a mix of bungalows and houses accessed via an extension of St Peter's Close, with screening maintained along Rod Lane. Due to viability issues, no affordable housing is included, though the project would contribute funding for public open space, NHS services, and infrastructure through the community infrastructure levy. Additional phosphate mitigation, costing around £373,000, is required because the site falls within the River Parrett catchment. Somerset Council is expected to decide on the application by Christmas, either through its planning committee or delegated officers.

A major development proposal by Taylor Wimpey outlines plans for around 7,000 homes in a new garden village east of Taunton as part of the Somerset Local Plan. The project includes schools, healthcare facilities, commercial space, a dedicated transit route and extensive green areas, with assurances that protected Blackdown Hills land will not be built on. Stakeholder groups, including local schools, the NHS trust and the Chamber of Commerce, have given initial positive responses. Public consultation for the Local Plan is underway, with further stages scheduled through 2028 before final adoption in 2029.

Somerset Council will adjust several bus routes from August 26 to improve access to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and Frome Community Hospital. Changes include extended early morning services on route 1, later journeys on route 1e, a revised route for the 95 service to include the Gateway park and ride, and a reroute of the 30 service in Frome. The Somerset Bus Partnership continues to push for further improvements, though proposals for more services at Musgrove Park Hospital face restrictions related to nearby helipad operations.

A £1 million cliff‑stabilisation project at Minehead’s North Hill has been delayed due to Somerset Council’s staffing shortages, governance problems and loss of specialist knowledge following organisational changes. The scheme, intended to protect residents and visitors for the next 50 years, has completed only a quarter of its required feasibility work. Council reports highlight recruitment challenges, incomplete asset assessments and the need for focused management. Efforts underway include drone inspections and recruitment of new coastal engineering staff, with local stakeholders to be updated on progress.