South West’s Safest Labour Councillor Quits Party Citing 'Constant U-Turns' Thursday, January 22, 2026 labour councillor independence paulton uturn council politics keirstarmer localgovernment environment Grant Johnson, a long-serving councillor representing Paulton—the former coal mining village deemed the safest Labour seat in South West England—has announced his departure from the Labour Party to serve as an independent. … Read More
Somerset Council Reverses Approval of Industrial Units Near A303 Amid Legal Disputes Thursday, January 22, 2026 somerset industrial development sparkford a303 planning legal environment flooding council Somerset Council has reversed its earlier approval of a development project near the A303, halting plans to construct 34 light industrial ‘starter’ units in Sparkford. The decision comes after prolonged legal … Read More
Legal Challenge Launched to Protect Somerset’s Historic Westonzoyland Airfield from Environmental Damage Thursday, January 22, 2026 westonzoyland somerset airfield environment legalchallenge conservation wastemanagement community pollution wildlife Residents of Westonzoyland, Somerset, have initiated a legal challenge to halt plans that would drastically increase waste processing on the county’s historic Westonzoyland Airfield, which they fear will transform the site … Read More
Legal Challenge Launched to Protect Somerset Village from Environmental Damage Thursday, January 22, 2026 westonzoyland somerset environment airfield legal conservation pollution wildlife community waste Residents of Westonzoyland, Somerset, have initiated a legal challenge to prevent their historic airfield from being degraded into an environmental “wasteland.” Westonzoyland Airfield, located east of the village … Read More
Hundreds Oppose Solar Panel Project in Bath’s Iconic Beauty Spot Friday, January 16, 2026 solar bath controversy heritage environment renewable conservation community tourism climate Controversy surrounds plans to install 320 solar panels on one of Bath’s most cherished scenic areas, the Bath Skyline Walk at Widcombe Hill near Rainbow Wood. The application, submitted by Dr. Alyson Warhurst of Rainbow Wood … Read More
Somerset MP Calls for Prime Minister's Support on £11bn Tidal Lagoon Project Monday, January 12, 2026 tidallagoon renewableenergy somerset infrastructure cleanenergy hinkleypoint government jobs environment sustainable Rachel Gilmour, the Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, has urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to personally engage with plans for an ambitious £11 billion tidal lagoon in Somerset. The proposed project, led by … Read More