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danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby
@danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
120 followers 69 following 1.3K posts
Local Democracy Reporter for Somerset, based at the Somerset County Gazette. All views mine, personal stuff on Twitter @mumbyatmovies. Stories or queries to [email protected]
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danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 14h
A further 275 homes could be built on the #A39 Quantock Road in #Bridgwater if #Torquay developer Cavanna Homes gets its way: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2553206... #LDReporter #Somerset
275 extra homes planned for Bridgwater's western edge
Construction is under way north of the A39 Quantock Road - but even more homes could soon be on the cards in this area
www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 9h
#NHS #Somerset says it has no immediate plans to deliver a new health facility near the #M5 in #Taunton: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2553399... #LDReporter
No immediate plans for deliver new health facility near M5, say NHS bosses
Summerfield Developments is marketing the final plot of this business park, which already is home to several health services and providers
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 9h
Sir Ashley Fox, @conservatives.bsky.social MP for
#Bridgwater, has dismissed a @yougov.co.uk poll showing he would lose his seat to @reformuk.bsky.social if a #generalelection was called tomorrow: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2553401... #LDReporter #Somerset #GE2029
Bridgwater MP dismisses poll showing he would lose seat to Reform UK
YouGov is predicting that Reform UK would fall just short of an overall majority if a general election were called tomorrow
www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk
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danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 11h
#Somerset Council's executive will meet later this month to discuss the future of the #Saxonvale site in #Frome - as @maydaysaxonvale.bsky.social announces its new board to drive the regeneration forward: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2553223... #LDReporter
Public meeting announced over future of key Frome regeneration site
It comes nine months after Somerset Council agreed in principle to sell the site to Mayday Saxonvale for redevelopment
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 14h
Here's what I'm up to next week:

MON: #SEND protest in #Taunton
TUE: #Somerset Council bus advisory board + planning north
WED: No meetings
THUR: SC strategic planning
FRI: Windsor Hill #activetravel route extension in #SheptonMallet

#LDReporter
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 14h
A further 275 homes could be built on the #A39 Quantock Road in #Bridgwater if #Torquay developer Cavanna Homes gets its way: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2553206... #LDReporter #Somerset
275 extra homes planned for Bridgwater's western edge
Construction is under way north of the A39 Quantock Road - but even more homes could soon be on the cards in this area
www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 1d
Domino's Pizza could bring new jobs to #Cheddar - but it will involve setting up shop outside the village's secondary school: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2553068... #LDReporter #Somerset #A371
Domino's Pizza could open new takeaway outside Somerset secondary school
Up to 25 local jobs could be created - but the school fears it will lead to a rise in obesity among its pupils
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 1d
A crossing over the "dangerous" #A38 near #Axbridge can't be replaced with a bridge - because it would hold up other improvements between #Highbridge and #BristolAirport by up to a year: www.burnhamandhighbridgeweeklynews.co.uk/news/2553004... #LDReporter #Somerset #activetravel
Replacing A38 crossing would delay major Somerset roadworks by a year
The crossing on the main road between Highbridge and Bristol Airport is used by more than 150,000 people every year
www.burnhamandhighbridgeweeklynews.co.uk
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 2d
#Somerset Council has spent more than £33m on consultants and agency staff since April 2023 - not including the £20m it just agreed to spend on its transformation programme: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2552780... #LDReporter #Budget2025 @conservatives.bsky.social
Somerset Council spent more than £33m on consultants and agency staff
The council has shelled out significant sums since April 2023 - at a time when it's been cutting staff numbers and seeking to make big savings
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 2d
#Somerset Council has spent more than £33m on agency staff and consultants in the last two-and-a-half years: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2552780... #LDReporter #Budget2025
Somerset Council spent more than £33m on consultants and agency staff
The council has shelled out significant sums since April 2023 - at a time when it's been cutting staff numbers and seeking to make big savings
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 2d
Nearly half of all visitors to @exmoornp.bsky.social say that nothing would persuade them to use their cars less, according to an official survey: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2552693... #LDReporter #Somerset #Exmoor
Nearly half of Exmoor visitors would not stop using cars to explore Somerset
Access to public toilets, a lack of public transport and the quality of local roads are all concerns of those visiting the national park
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
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danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 2d
Revised plans have been put forward to build 230 homes and commercial space on the #B3191 Brendon Road in #Watchet - very close to the site of the town's former music festival: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2552624... #LDReporter #Somerset
Revised plans for 230 homes near Somerset music festival site
The Watchet Music Festival was last held in 2022 - and 230 homes could soon be built nearby
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 3d
Big thanks to Suez for letting me have a look around their materials recycling facility in #Taunton - fascinating to see what happens to all #Somerset's rubbish :) www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2552325... #LDReporter #RecycleMore
What happens behind the scenes at a Somerset waste recycling facility
Ever wondered what happens to your rubbish once it's been collected from the kerbside? Wonder no more...
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 3d
Building homes on #Yeovil car parks would be "a terrible blow" to the "struggling" town centre, a @conservatives.bsky.social councillor has claimed: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2552152... #LDReporter #Somerset #futurehighstreetsfund
Building on Yeovil car parks would be 'a terrible blow' to local businesses
Residents have until November 2 to give their views on plans to build new homes, shops and health facilities in Yeovil town centre
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
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danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 4d
Contrary to what you may have read on social media, people with a "local connection" to #Somerset WILL be given priority to new social and affordable housing being delivered across the county: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2552078... #LDReporter #housingcrisis
Somerset people will be given priority for new affordable homes
Affordable homes being delivered across Somerset will be given to people with a "local connection" to the county, Somerset Council has…
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 4d
The future of the #Saxonvale site in #Frome town centre is looking a little less certain, with @maydaysaxonvale.bsky.social working hard to raise alternative finance and #Somerset Council considering its contingency options: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2552058... #LDReporter
Key Frome regeneration site could be sold off amid Mayday Saxonvale delays
A key Frome regeneration site could be sold off by the council if alternative means to finance its redevelopment cannot be secured.
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
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danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 4d
Had an absolute blast this morning climbing Dunkery Beacon (the highest point in @exmoornp.bsky.social) for a #LDReporter livestream :)

Please excuse my grotesque expression - it was extremely windy up there, but the views more than made up for it :) #Exmoor #Somerset
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danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 4d
Air quality in #Taunton has improved since the #coronavirus pandemic - prompting renewed calls for a bypass on the #A358 around the nearby village of #Henlade (near junction 25 of the #M5): www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2551642... #LDReporter #Somerset
Renewed calls for A358 bypass as Taunton air quality improves
A more ambitious scheme to dual the A358 between Taunton and Ilminster was cancelled by the government in October 2024
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 4d
Hundreds of homes and businesses in #Taunton town centre will soon enjoy better protection from #flooding after #Somerset Council approved a £6m scheme to protect two key sections of the River Tone: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2551604... #LDReporter
£6m Taunton town centre flood prevention scheme to begin in mid-2026
Hundreds of homes and businesses in Taunton town centre will be better protected from flooding within the next 12 months
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 7d
#Somerset Council's finances have been likened to "a red light district" by a leading @conservatives.bsky.social councillor (with apologies to the good people of #Bradford): www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2551555... #LDReporter #Ilminster #Budget2025
Council finances have 'more red lights flashing than a red light district'
Councillor Sue Osborne said the council was "in a very serious hole" with its ongoing financial issues
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
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danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 7d
Avon and #Somerset Constabulary has launched a fraud investigation into the regeneration of the Red Brick Building as part of the #Glastonbury town deal: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2551521... #LDReporter #townsfund
Police begin probe into Glastonbury regeneration project
The Red Brick Building project in Glastonbury has been officially paused after serious concerns were raised
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
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danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 7d
Dozens of new homes in rural #Somerset could be scuppered due to sewerage issues - casting doubt on the council's recently revised planning policies: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2551307... #LDReporter #Coleford #SheptonMallet #Frome #Radstock
Rural Somerset housing plan may need revision over key site delays
Gladman Developments secured permission on appeal to build 63 homes on Anchor Road in Coleford - but the development has faced several delays.
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
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danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 7d
Here's what I'm covering next week:

MON: No meetings
TUE: No meetings
WED: Somerset Council planning & transport policy sub-committee
THUR: SC adults & health scrutiny
FRI: #Glastonbury town deal St. Dunstan's hub opening

#LDReporter #Somerset
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 7d
A plaque marking #Highbridge's radio heritage can't be installed because of an ongoing row over who owns the land:
www.burnhamandhighbridgeweeklynews.co.uk/news/2551272... #LDReporter #Somerset #Portishead
Plaque to mark Highbridge's heritage blocked by land ownership issues
Highbridge served as the receiving station for Portishead Radio Station, the world's largest maritime radio station, until its closure in 2000
www.burnhamandhighbridgeweeklynews.co.uk
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 8d
#Somerset residents won't be "kicked out" of their homes under council plans to purchase 15 properties for use as emergency accommodation for local families: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2550998... #LDReporter
Somerset residents won't be 'kicked out' to provide emergency homes
A Reform UK councillor's claims about landlords being paid to evict tenants have been swiftly debunked
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 9d
Joy for #Frome residents after the Planning Inspectorate threw out plans for 74 homes and a children's home on Packsaddle Fields: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2550858... #LDReporter #Somerset
'Unique' Frome green space saved from new housing after appeal
A public inquiry into the site's future was held in mid-August
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk