Backwell Villagers Protest Plans to Double Village Size with 1,600 New Homes Monday, September 22, 2025 backwell northsomerset housing development infrastructure traffic conservation community planning rural Residents of Backwell, a rural village in North Somerset, are mounting fierce opposition to plans that would see 1,600 new homes built, effectively doubling the village’s size and threatening its countryside charm. While … Read More
Dorset’s Middle Beach Transforms Into Unexpected Seasonal Attraction Monday, September 22, 2025 coast erosion restoration nationaltrust studland beach climatechange wildlife conservation dorset At Middle Beach in Studland, Dorset, the removal of old sea defences has unexpectedly turned into a popular out-of-season spectacle. Since early September, heavy machinery has been dismantling failing coastal structures in a … Read More
Billionaire Chris Rokos Secures Approval for Major Restoration of Historic Stables Thursday, September 18, 2025 restoration heritage estate stables rokos georgian conservation listed renovation architecture Billionaire Chris Rokos has received planning permission to undertake significant restoration work on the Old Stables at his Savernake Forest estate near Marlborough. These stables, constructed in the 1820s, are Grade II … Read More
Longleat Mourns Beloved Red Panda Lionel Wednesday, September 17, 2025 longleat redpanda lionel conservation breeding international wildlife endangered keeper cubs Longleat has announced with great sadness the passing of Lionel, one of their cherished red pandas and a firm favourite among visitors. At just eight years old, Lionel’s loss is deeply felt by the Longleat family and all who … Read More
Historic Birnbeck Pier Restoration Saved by Last-Minute Funding Boost Wednesday, September 17, 2025 birnbeck pier restoration weston-super-mare heritage nationallottery northsomerset regeneration funding conservation The restoration of Weston-super-Mare’s historic Birnbeck Pier has been saved at the “eleventh hour” thanks to a crucial £5.5 million funding injection. The announcement came moments before councillors were … Read More
Record-Breaking Summer Drives Urgent Plans for New Somerset Reservoir Tuesday, September 16, 2025 somerset drought cheddar water reservoir climate environment consultation infrastructure conservation Somerset is grappling with the hottest summer on record, a situation that has significantly lowered water levels in local reservoirs and intensified concerns about future water security. The Met Office has announced that the … Read More