Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 9h

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

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 11h

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

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 1d

#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

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 1d

#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

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 1d

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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Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 1d

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

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 2d

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

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 2d

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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Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 3d

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

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 3d

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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Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 3d

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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Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 3d

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

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 3d

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

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 6d

#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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Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 6d

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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Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 6d

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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Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 6d

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

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 6d

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

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 7d

#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

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 8d

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

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 8d

There is no start date for 60 weeks of #roadworks needed to unlock more than 1,600 homes on the #A358 Staplegrove Road in #Taunton - as plans are submitted for the next phase of the development: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2550905... #LDReporter #Somerset

No date set for 60 weeks of major Taunton roadworks

It will take more than a year to construct a crucial junction linking more than 1,600 new homes to the A358 Staplegrove Road

www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 8d

Tributes have been paid to retiring @conservatives.bsky.social councillor Christine Lawrence as the candidates for the upcoming #Dunster by-election are confirmed: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2550660... #LDReporter #Somerset

Somerset 'trailblazer' praised as by-election candidates confirmed

Voters will go to the polls on October 23 following the retirement of Councillor Christine Lawrence

www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 9d

Five people have thrown their hat into the ring to replace the late Councillor Nick Cottle in the upcoming #Glastonbury by-election: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2550630... #LDReporter #Somerset #LE2025

Tributes paid to Glastonbury councillor as by-election candidates confirmed

Councillor Nick Cottle passed away on August 11 at the age of 69

www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 9d

#Bridgwater is one of 169 towns - and the only one in #Somerset - to receive £20m over the next 10 years for regeneration projects under the government's #PrideinPlace programme: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2550550... #LDReporter #townsfund #levellingupfund

Bridgwater can spend £20m over ten years on improving deprived areas

Local people will be given the final say on how the money is to be spent

www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk

Daniel Mumby @danielmumbyldr.bsky.social · 9d

One of #Somerset's best-rated primary schools will lose out on a new classroom under rebuild plans agreed by the council - a move which the governors believes will hurt #SEND pupils and lead to job losses: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2550516... #LDReporter #Wellington #Stawley

One of Somerset's best primary schools to lose classroom under rebuild plans

One of Somerset’s best primary schools will lose one of its classrooms as part of council plans to rebuild the facility.

www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk