Daniel Mumby
@danielmumbyldr.bsky.social
Local Democracy Reporter for Somerset, based at the Somerset County Gazette. All views mine, personal stuff on Twitter @mumbyatmovies. Stories or queries to Daniel.Mumby@newsquest.co.uk
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Somerset Council relying on enforcement officers from West Midlands council
Somerset Council is relying on a council-owned enforcement company 150 miles away in Staffordshire to carry out most of its enforcement activity
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
#Somerset Council has admitted it is relying on officers from #Lichfield District Council - based 150 miles away in #Staffordshire - to carry out most of its planning enforcement activity: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2580243... #LDReporter
Taylor Wimpey will need to build new wetlands near the River Parrett if it wants to continue constructing new homes within the Wool Gardens site in #Crewkerne: www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/crewker... #LDReporter #Somerset #phosphates #DutchN #A30 #A356
New wetlands needed to continue major Somerset housing development
Taylor Wimpey Exeter intends to build new wetlands near the River Parrett to allow its delivery of the Wool Gardens housing development to move…
www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Taylor Wimpey will need to build new wetlands near the River Parrett if it wants to continue constructing new homes within the Wool Gardens site in #Crewkerne: www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/crewker... #LDReporter #Somerset #phosphates #DutchN #A30 #A356
140 new homes could soon be coming to the growing village of #Templecombe if #Somerset Council approved this revised proposals: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2580454... #LDReporter #A357
Revised plans for 140 homes in growing Somerset village
Plans for 140 additional homes in the growing village of Templecombe have been put forward - with a decision expected by the summer
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 2:07 PM
140 new homes could soon be coming to the growing village of #Templecombe if #Somerset Council approved this revised proposals: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2580454... #LDReporter #A357
#Somerset Council faces a race against time to approved 208 new homes within the #OrchardGrove site in #Taunton before new #phosphates rules within the #PlanningandInfrastructureAct take effect: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2580358... #LDReporter #A38 #DutchN
Somerset Council faces race against time to approve new Taunton homes
Somerset Council will try to approve new homes within the Orchard Grove development site in Taunton before new government policies take effect
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 12:22 PM
#Somerset Council faces a race against time to approved 208 new homes within the #OrchardGrove site in #Taunton before new #phosphates rules within the #PlanningandInfrastructureAct take effect: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2580358... #LDReporter #A38 #DutchN
#Somerset Council has admitted it is relying on officers from #Lichfield District Council - based 150 miles away in #Staffordshire - to carry out most of its planning enforcement activity: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2580243... #LDReporter
Somerset Council relying on enforcement officers from West Midlands council
Somerset Council is relying on a council-owned enforcement company 150 miles away in Staffordshire to carry out most of its enforcement activity
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 9:56 AM
#Somerset Council has admitted it is relying on officers from #Lichfield District Council - based 150 miles away in #Staffordshire - to carry out most of its planning enforcement activity: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2580243... #LDReporter
A #Somerset Council officer has been left £1,000 in the will of an elderly resident as a thank you for "going above and beyond": www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2580126... #LDReporter
Somerset Council officer left £1,000 in will of elderly resident
Somerset Council could review its policies regarding gifts and hospitality after one of its officers was left £1,000 by an elderly man
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 4:02 PM
A #Somerset Council officer has been left £1,000 in the will of an elderly resident as a thank you for "going above and beyond": www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2580126... #LDReporter
Plans for 28 homes between #Yeovil and the #A303 have been approved for a FOURTH time following last year's Supreme Court ruling: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2580057... #LDReporter #Somerset #Tintinhull
28 new homes near Yeovil approved for fourth time after court ruling
Somerset Council has approved plans for 28 new homes between Yeovil and the A303, for a fourth time following the recent Supreme Court ruling
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Plans for 28 homes between #Yeovil and the #A303 have been approved for a FOURTH time following last year's Supreme Court ruling: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2580057... #LDReporter #Somerset #Tintinhull
24 "much-needed" new homes could be built in the small village of #BartonStDavid near #Glastonbury if #Somerset Council approves these plans: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2579944... #LDReporter
24 new homes planned for small Somerset village near A37
Brue Spruce Ltd. intends to deliver 24 new homes (including nine affordable homes) on agricultural land in Barton St. David, near Glastonbury
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 11:39 AM
24 "much-needed" new homes could be built in the small village of #BartonStDavid near #Glastonbury if #Somerset Council approves these plans: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2579944... #LDReporter
A popular pub near the #A303 in #Somerset stands to lose part of its beer garden under housing plans approved by Somerset Council: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2579704... #LDReporter #Podimore #flooding
Somerset pub near A303 to lose part of beer garden for housing
New housing will be delivered near the Podymore Inn just off the recently-dualled A303, despite fears about whether it will exacerbate localised…
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 3:24 PM
A popular pub near the #A303 in #Somerset stands to lose part of its beer garden under housing plans approved by Somerset Council: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2579704... #LDReporter #Podimore #flooding
First class rail tickets, cream teas, tapas and tickets to see @yeoviltownfc.bsky.social were among the gifts accepted by #Somerset councillors in the last six months: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2579597... #LDReporter
Somerset councillors gifted first class rail travel, cream teas and tapas
A wide range of gifts and hospitality has been accepted by elected Somerset councillors over the last six months
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 1:17 PM
First class rail tickets, cream teas, tapas and tickets to see @yeoviltownfc.bsky.social were among the gifts accepted by #Somerset councillors in the last six months: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2579597... #LDReporter
#Ilminster may get no vote on #Somerset Council's budget - because both of its local councillors are currently on a leave of absence: www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/ilminst... #LDReporter #Budget2026
Ilminster may get no vote on Somerset Council budget due to councillor illness
Both Ilminster's division members have been granted a leave of absence - meaning the town may get no final say on next month's budget
www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 11:39 AM
#Ilminster may get no vote on #Somerset Council's budget - because both of its local councillors are currently on a leave of absence: www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/ilminst... #LDReporter #Budget2026
A planned merger of seven #Somerset doctors surgeries has been pushed back due to "legal issues": www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2579515... #LDReporter #Martock #NHS #SouthPetherton #Crewkerne #Somerton #Ilchester #StokesubHamdon
Merger of seven Somerset GP surgeries delayed by legal issues
Seven Somerset medical centres were expected to formally merge in mid-January, but delays in the necessary legal processes have pushed this back
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 11:33 AM
A planned merger of seven #Somerset doctors surgeries has been pushed back due to "legal issues": www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2579515... #LDReporter #Martock #NHS #SouthPetherton #Crewkerne #Somerton #Ilchester #StokesubHamdon
Reposted by Daniel Mumby
Latest from me: I went to minehead, to see - no, really - new council houses & flats. We could build them at scale, if we wanted. So why not? www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
In Somerset, I found glorious proof that the UK can build great council houses. So what is holding us back? | John Harris
It was life-affirming to meet the residents of Rainbow Way in Minehead. But so much still stands in the way of Labour’s vision for social housing, says Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:29 AM
Latest from me: I went to minehead, to see - no, really - new council houses & flats. We could build them at scale, if we wanted. So why not? www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The future of carnivals in #Chard, #Ilminster, #Taunton and #Wellington is looking a little more secure after this decision by #Somerset Council: www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/2579303... #LDReporter
Lifeline for south Somerset carnival clubs as new sheds approved
Somerset Council has approved plans for a new facility near Ilminster to allow carnival clubs to construct and store its carts for the local…
www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk
January 24, 2026 at 12:28 PM
The future of carnivals in #Chard, #Ilminster, #Taunton and #Wellington is looking a little more secure after this decision by #Somerset Council: www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/2579303... #LDReporter
Nearly 2,700 homes across 11 #Somerset sites are being delayed due to outstanding legal issues: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2579153... #LDReporter #Bridgwater #Minehead #Taunton #SheptonMallet #Yeovil #KeintonMandeville #Chard #Merriott #Bruton #SouthPetherton #Section106
11 major Somerset development sites held up by legal issues
Nearly 2,700 homes across 11 key sites in Somerset cannot be delivered legal agreements haven't been signed off, Somerset Council has admitted
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Nearly 2,700 homes across 11 #Somerset sites are being delayed due to outstanding legal issues: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2579153... #LDReporter #Bridgwater #Minehead #Taunton #SheptonMallet #Yeovil #KeintonMandeville #Chard #Merriott #Bruton #SouthPetherton #Section106
Plans for 230 new homes on the #A30 #Crewkerne Road in #Chard have been approved for a second time despite fears about a footpath link to the town centre: www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/chard_n... #LDReporter #Somerset #activetravel #LCWIP
230 Chard homes approved for second time despite A30 safety fears
Gladman Developments claimed it could not safely provide a new pavement along the A30 Crewkerne Road - but Somerset Council wasn't standing for it
www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Plans for 230 new homes on the #A30 #Crewkerne Road in #Chard have been approved for a second time despite fears about a footpath link to the town centre: www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/chard_n... #LDReporter #Somerset #activetravel #LCWIP
Disabled #Taunton resident Andy Mitchell will be taking #Somerset Council to the High Court over its "irrational" #counciltax reduction scheme which left him more than £1,100 worse off: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578876... #LDReporter #universalcredit #judicialreview
Disabled Taunton man taking Somerset Council to court over council tax support
Disabled Taunton man Andy Mitchell is taking Somerset Council to the High Court over its "discriminatory" and "irrational"…
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Disabled #Taunton resident Andy Mitchell will be taking #Somerset Council to the High Court over its "irrational" #counciltax reduction scheme which left him more than £1,100 worse off: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578876... #LDReporter #universalcredit #judicialreview
More than 9,300 new homes in #Somerset could be approved by central government rather than local people following the passage of the Planning and Infrastructure Act: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578776... #LDReporter #Yeovil #Taunton #Wellington #Watchet #Frome #Bridgwater #Highbridge
More than 9,300 new Somerset homes could be signed off by central government
Under the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, any plans for 150 homes or more may be signed off by central government rather than local councillors
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 2:04 PM
More than 9,300 new homes in #Somerset could be approved by central government rather than local people following the passage of the Planning and Infrastructure Act: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578776... #LDReporter #Yeovil #Taunton #Wellington #Watchet #Frome #Bridgwater #Highbridge
A decision on plans for 400 homes across three sites in #Trull has been delayed by an ongoing review into #Taunton's 'green wedges': www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578557... #LDReporter #Somerset #OrchardGrove
Decision on 400 homes near Taunton delayed by 'green wedge' review
400 new homes could be delivered across three separate developments sites south of Taunton - but a review has significantly delayed any decision
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 4:58 PM
A decision on plans for 400 homes across three sites in #Trull has been delayed by an ongoing review into #Taunton's 'green wedges': www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578557... #LDReporter #Somerset #OrchardGrove
#Somerset residents have until #Easter2026 to give their initial views on the planned tidal lagoon between #Minehead and #Watchet (endorsed by local MP @rachelgilmourld.bsky.social): www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578495... #LDReporter
Somerset residents have until Easter to give views on planned tidal lagoon
A public consultation has been launched into plans to construct an £11bn tidal lagoon between Minehead and Watchet, which would operate for 120…
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 4:04 PM
#Somerset residents have until #Easter2026 to give their initial views on the planned tidal lagoon between #Minehead and #Watchet (endorsed by local MP @rachelgilmourld.bsky.social): www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578495... #LDReporter
A replacement for Milford Junior School in #Yeovil will be open to pupils in the summer of 2027 after amended plans were approved: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578422... #LDReporter #Somerset
Replacement Yeovil school to be finished by summer 2027
Construction is currently proceeding on the replacement for Milford Junior School on Glenthorne Avenue, which was closed in the summer of 2022
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 1:55 PM
A replacement for Milford Junior School in #Yeovil will be open to pupils in the summer of 2027 after amended plans were approved: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578422... #LDReporter #Somerset
#Somerset Council will spend more than £5.8m replacing street lights with LEDs as it seeks to shave nearly £2m off its annual energy bills: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578381... #LDReporter
Somerset Council to spend more than £5.8m changing street lights to LEDs
Around 18,000 "ageing and inefficient" street lights and related infrastructure will need to be replaced as part of the council's next…
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 11:19 AM
#Somerset Council will spend more than £5.8m replacing street lights with LEDs as it seeks to shave nearly £2m off its annual energy bills: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578381... #LDReporter
#Somerset Council has reversed its decision to approve new industrial units near the #A303 in #Sparkford. Here's why: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578185... #LDReporter #A359
Somerset Council U-turns on planned industrial units near A303
Somerset councillors gave the thumbs up in October 2024 to 34 new industrial units - but this decision has now been reversed by planning officers
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 5:04 PM
#Somerset Council has reversed its decision to approve new industrial units near the #A303 in #Sparkford. Here's why: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578185... #LDReporter #A359
#Westonzoyland Parish Council is crowdfunding for a legal challenge to prevent their village from becoming a "wasteland" at the hands of a local soil processing firm: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2578127... #LDReporter #Somerset #A372 #WestonsuperMare #judicialreview
Legal challenge launched to prevent Somerset village from becoming 'wasteland'
Westonzoyland Parish Council is crowdfunding for a legal challenge to prevent existing EA permits for soil storage and processing to be expanded
www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 4:05 PM
#Westonzoyland Parish Council is crowdfunding for a legal challenge to prevent their village from becoming a "wasteland" at the hands of a local soil processing firm: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2578127... #LDReporter #Somerset #A372 #WestonsuperMare #judicialreview
#Somerset Council has revealed how much it costs on average to fix #potholes across the county: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578002... #LDReporter #Taunton #Bridgwater #Yeovil #Chard #Frome #Highbridge #BurnhamonSea #Wells #Glastonbury #SheptonMallet #Wellington #Ilminster #Wincanton
Average cost of fixing potholes in Somerset revealed
Somerset Council has revealed how much it costs on average to repair a pothole on Somerset's road network, based on work carried out in 2025
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 1:21 PM
#Somerset Council has revealed how much it costs on average to fix #potholes across the county: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2578002... #LDReporter #Taunton #Bridgwater #Yeovil #Chard #Frome #Highbridge #BurnhamonSea #Wells #Glastonbury #SheptonMallet #Wellington #Ilminster #Wincanton
More than 1,200 #Bridgwater residents have signed an online petition against Bloor Homes South West's plans for 220 new homes on Rhode Lane: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2577974... #LDReporter #Somerset
More than 1,200 Bridgwater residents oppose plans for 220 new homes
Bloor Homes South West wishes to build 220 new homes on Rhode Lane - but more than 1,200 local residents have signed a petition against the plans
www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 11:33 AM
More than 1,200 #Bridgwater residents have signed an online petition against Bloor Homes South West's plans for 220 new homes on Rhode Lane: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2577974... #LDReporter #Somerset