News in Shepton Mallet

Firefighters from Shepton Mallet were among four crews who tackled a large barn fire in Stoney Stratton this morning (September 12).

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Control received a call just after 4.15am reporting what appeared to be a barn on fire in Westcombe Road, Stoney Stratton.

Mendip District Council has backed an ambitious, innovative plan for local government reform.

In an historic vote that will impact future generations, elected Members supported the Stronger Somerset joint-proposal put forward by the county's district councils.

The Royal Bath and West Society has today (September 10) announced the cancellation of this year's Dairy Show due to the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic.

The society says this is an extremely difficult decision to make, though in light of the recent rise in confirmed cases, members feel this is the responsible thing to do.

Somerset residents are divided over plans to move to refuse bin collections to once every three weeks.

The Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) will begin implementing its Recycle More programme in October, which will see more items are recycled weekly at the kerbside as fortnightly refuse collections move to once every three weeks.

Shepton Mallet's MP James Heappey says he is pleased with the Government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme, with the Wells Constituency enjoying the second highest amount of discounted meals in Somerset.

More than 140,000 meals were discounted as a result of the scheme in the Wells constituency, which includes Shepton Mallet, with customers able to enjoy 50 per cent off food and soft drinks, when eating in, throughout August every Monday to Wednesday.

Lorry parks could be constructed across Somerset as the Brexit transition period ends – and residents won't get a say on the matter.

The government recently announced a change in the law, allowing "temporary" lorry parks to be constructed in 29 council areas in England – including Somerset.

Shepton Mallet motorists are being discouraged from idling their engines in car parks in a bid to improve air quality and residents' health.

Mendip District Council will be installing 'no idling' signs in all 51 of the car parks which it operates in a bid to change drivers' behaviour.

Plans to build a new house and garden studio on the site of a current home and store in Neighbourne have been refused by Mendip District Council.

The planning application for the construction of a new dwelling and garden studio following demolition of existing dwelling and garden store, and change of use of land adjacent to the house to be within residential curtilage of the dwelling at Hill Top, Blackey Lane to Withy Lane, Neighbourne, had been submitted by Simon Wellby.

Only £1 is spent on cycling provision in Somerset for every £13 spent on the county's roads, campaigners have claimed.

More than 60 local councils and community groups in Somerset have called for the county council to stop prioritising cars in its transport schemes.

A petition has been launched against plans to convert part of the Academy building in the centre of Shepton Mallet into seven flats and a shop, and keep it as a theatre.

However, the building's owner Kevin Newton has said that many attempts have been made to make the building sustainable, and now it would be impossible to be used as a theatre again as different parts of the building had already been converted into different things.