Somerset Confidential @somersetconf.bsky.social

James Garrett returns to the fray this week with a piece about another solar site proposal. But as Somerset planners try and push the application through without a formal planning meeting, serious concerns are being raised. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/weeping-will…

Roots, the allotment group seeking to make a major business out of providing privately run allotments for rent, has finally won planning permission for its North Somerset site at Abbots Leigh. Planning permission it said it did not need. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/rooting-for-…

Don't miss this year's Photo Competition run by CPRE Somerset. It is FREE to enter and there are two £100 prizes. One for adults, one for under 18s. So definitely something for the school holidays!

Somerset Council has a new plan called Inspiring Innovation. Full of hyperbole and management consultant speak, will it deliver the savings required for Somerset Council? And why has it not been subject to the Council’s own Scrutiny Committee? somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/uninspiring

An MP takes up our story about the location of the Public Inquiry into Selwood Garden Village. Did she get further than we did? And the council whose Freedom of Information Team don’t seem to have digested the Freedom of Information Act. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

There are Neighbourhood Plans for #SheptonMallet and #NortonStPhilip with very different agendas. We challenge the CMA over a fine on major housebuilders who are accused of colluding over price fixing. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

Then there’s the apparent absence of a board meeting of Glastonbury Town Deal Board. There should be urgent things to discuss. There are Neighbourhood Plans for Shepton Mallet and Norton St Philip with very different agendas. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

Somerset this week: 18 July 2025 open.substack.com/pub/somersetco…

somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/station-fare We take a look at the food offerings available at Somerset stations. Is it all bland corporate fare? Or are there some signs of improvement?

This is a long version of the Frome FM edition that went out a couple of weeks ago. Sam Saunders, Andrew Lee and NUJ South West Chair, Ray Tostevin talk about the state of local journalism across Somerset and some of the issues of the day. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-spo…

And as they do up the old Jolley’s store for a new tenant, we take a look at just how much of Bath City centre Bath & North East Somerset owns. And why? And as yet another village sees its population sky rocket as a large extension is approved, we ask why? somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

NHS Somerset have turned down the chance to run a pilot for the Yeovil HASU which would have demonstrated whether or not their suggested solution actually works or not. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

We take a look at what happened after protesters plastered County Hallin red paint. Who is paying for the clean up? Frome residents will be disappointed to learn the Public Inquiry into Selwood Garden Village is to be heard in Shepton Mallet. Why? somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

Yes we are a few hours early this week but we’re on holiday next, so here goes: MP Sarah Dyke is getting stuck in to the issue of a Post Office for Somerton. The issue as Somerset Confidential® explains, is not a lack of willing volunteers…. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

A positive development in err… development news sees some much needed social homes approved in #Somerton and gigabyte broadband installation is planned for the #Sparkford area. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

There’s a row in #Bridgwater over the procurement of solar panels and a #Taunton potato farmer pleads guilty in court to environmental damage. In #Frome locals are getting fed up with their leisure centre, MP #AnnaSabine has had to intervene. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

There’s been a lot happening this week and we start with the local government funding review. #Somerset Confidential® talks to the leaders of the three Somerset Councils to get their take on it. And local MP #SarahDyke offers a geography lesson. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…

As the CQC identifies a failure of leadership at Yeovil Hospital paediatric services, we ask where does the buck stop? And with the release of the CQC report we look at what went wrong and ask why it took until 13 May for the unit to close. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/yeovil-paedi…

Now that Somerset Confidential® has seen the full report of auditors SWAP we can add to the story of the Life Factory fiasco. There are many more details about what went wrong and worryingly, concerns are emerging about other projects in the Town Deal. somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/race-to-the-…

Library cuts are back in the news, we look at how the three Somerset councils are approaching the issue. Not all councils are the same…. And there’s a meeting of NHS Somerset without public questions – to discuss the accounts. Nothing to see here then! somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-thi…