The completely refurbished Milford Community Hall will be unveiled at a Christmas extravaganza this weekend Saturday 11th December at 11am.

The £720,000 flagship project of the Local Strategic Partnership, headed by South Somerset District Council and the Milford Community Association, has replaced the existing prefabricated building with a brand new hall three times its size.

The hall will be officially declared open at a festive fair organised by the community this Saturday 11 December at 11am, with dozens of stalls, children's activities and music from Yeovil Town Band.

The hall will officially open at 11am on Saturday with activities and entertainment continuing until 2pm.

Read more on the projects

**UPDATE** Consultation event for Phase Two proposals

With the first phase of enhancement works to Princes Street completed in 2009, the focus is now on progressing possible options for Phase Two, which will consider how the Park Road junction area leading down to the subway can be improved.

A public display is being held on Thursday 3rd June to reveal possible proposals for the northern end of Princes Street. The event takes place at the United Reformed Church on Princes Street between 12.15pm and 7pm on Thursday 3rd June.

Local people are invited to view and have their say on design proposals which relate to a range of streetscape and highway improvements in the area – including pavement widening, kerb realignment, subway enhancements and pedestrian crossings.

Read more on the projects page.

Work is due to start this month on a major highway project, which aims to rid the town on one of its worst traffic hotspots. The long awaited delivery of the Reckleford highway improvement scheme is set to begin August 17 under Yeovil Vision plans.

Approval was given in July by the funding partners to award the construction contract to Aggregate Industries’ Bardon Contracting. Bardon Contracting were the outright winner of the tendering process having scored highest in both the quality and price criteria. As part of their work, a public information event is already being planned, which will provide residents and businesses with information on the scheduling of work, plans for traffic management through the construction phase, and a question and answer opportunity.

The new highway design will reinstate two-way traffic along the A30 at the eastern end of Reckleford, removing the congestion around the area known locally as the ‘Bermuda Triangle’ that funnels A30 traffic passed the Western Gazette building and down Wyndham Street.

The first job will be to demolish the old Cooker King premises to make room for the new dual road that will run directly into town from the A30. The works are due to complete in late November in time for the Christmas selling season.

Cllr Tony Fife, Portfolio Holder for Yeovil Vision and South Somerset District Council Area South Chairman commented, “This is only one step and one section of a large and complicated jigsaw which, when put together, will greatly improve the traffic flow in the town centre. Reckleford is just the start.

“The removal of the bottleneck in traffic will relieve congestion, and also allow the area to regenerate and attract more investment. This was an aspiration that came out of the community review of transport and was the highest priority, around ten years ago. Yeovil Vision, South Somerset District Council, and all of the partners have been working on with the help of local people who have given us their views, for a long time and we are pleased that work will now proceed.”


The scheme at Reckleford is just one of a series of roadwork projects planned by the partners South Somerset District Council, Yeovil Town Council, Somerset County Council and Yeovil Vision. The A30 Corridor Project as it is known, aims to improve slow moving traffic that at peak times runs from the Horsley roundabout by the Police station, through Queensway and onto Reckleford.

Alan Brown Projects Director for Yeovil Vision said “ The scheme has been an aspiration for the Vision for many years, and apart from relieving congestion it will also act as a stimulus for a wider regeneration of the eastern end of Yeovil. This scheme is an excellent example of what can be achieved through partnership working.”

In addition to the road works, there will also be improvements to tidy up the uninspiring Reckleford street scene and the creation of a green gateway as a more positive entrance to the town. The Public voted for their favourite design, at a Public Exhibition in December, where four public realm designs were presented. A green space, planted with specimen shrubs and Plane Tree will welcome visitors to the town.

Do you use Facebook to keep yourself up-to-date? Then log onto the new Yeovil Vision page Yeovil Vision Regeneration to find out the latest information on the developments in town and give us your feedback.

Gerard Tucker, Economic Team Leader for South Somerset District Council explains, “The facility is an important component of the wider Innovation Centre - which is now acting as a central place where businesses can go to get the guidance and information they need.

“We are offering free access to the most up-to-date online information on loans and banking, recession-beating ideas and guidance on HR issues such as redundancies. Businesses can come in, make use of free telephone clinics, access over four hundred toolkits, and then talk to us through unscheduled one-to-one sessions, so we hope it’s a hassle free way to get crucial advice.”

Somerset’s first ‘one-stop-shop’ for business support opened on March 17th in the form of the ‘Business Solutions’ facility at the Yeovil Innovation Centre.

The facility - which has been created in conjunction with Business Link, South Somerset District Council and Yeovil College - is a drop-in resource room open all week for any local business or entrepreneur to use without appointment.

And South Somerset District Council’s Economic Development Team, which operates from the Innovation Centre, is offering users of the facility on-call expert advice, making the centre a truly all-inclusive resource to help businesses in all aspects of need.

Information on the range of services provided by Yeovil College is also available - including business support courses, apprenticeship programmes and the Train to Gain scheme.

Mr Tucker added, “This isn’t just a ‘business library’ facility. We are talking about the Innovation Centre as a whole - a centre for all businesses to use, to network from, to join in the business community, to meet potential investors, to find new accommodation, access data, and discover mentoring opportunities. The centre houses our Economic Team and all the services we provide, as well as a whole host of services from the new facility within it.

“It’s a facility that we want businesses - or those thinking of starting up a business - to use to its full potential and it’s not just to counteract the recession - it’s for all aspects of business.”

Users can sign up to receive e-alerts and events listings from Business Link - which has a permanent base within the Innovation Centre - and attend monthly business clinics run by Business Link advisors that provide personal business reviews and offer opportunities to discuss issues and identify activities to help improve performance.

Roger Bacon, an experienced Business Link Adviser says "Particularly at times like these, we want to be able to bring business support right into the communities where our clients actually live and work. We know that they're simply too busy to spend too much time coming to see us, so the launch of a one-stop facility like Business Solutions is a vital step forward in our and our partners' mission to provide all the support that local people need in the form that suits them best. We're confident that it's set to become an important 'hub' for the Yeovil and South Somerset business community, and are looking forward to welcoming many people to our clinics."

Scott Roy, Chairman of the Innovation Centre Strategy Board said, “The availability of business support will be a critical success factor in the incubation and development of entrepreneurs in the community.

“We have a really enthusiastic team ready to help businesses realise their full potential through mentoring, planning and promotion.”

Cllr Peter Seib, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Planning and Transport at South Somerset District Council added, “South Somerset's economic strategy focuses on creating local jobs by encouraging and supporting new start-ups, growing existing businesses and moving in new businesses from outside the county.

“It's all about jobs, whether you're creating a new company or keeping people on in difficult times. This centre offers everything from books on what you'll need to do to set up a hairdressers to help with finding and licensing premises for storing chemicals. You can get help from experts including other local business people. The partners here can even help you find funding, from rate relief through to ‘angel investor’ introductions. Give the team a call or just stop by.”

Businesses are invited to visit the facility at Yeovil Innovation Centre, on Copse Road. Directions and information can be found at www.yeovilinnovationcentre.co.uk or by telephoning 01935 385900.

Yeovil Innovation Centre itself was set up by South Somerset District Council, Somerset County Council and the South West RDA and launched at the end of last year.

Representatives from the district council, Yeovil College, Business Link and Yeovil Chamber of Commerce joined several local businesses on the day to celebrate the official opening.

Yeovil Vision is proud to announce the launch of its new publication, named VISION, that aims to celebrate the town and its achievements.

VISION aims to raise the profile of Yeovil for townsfolk and visitors alike by providing interesting features on Yeovil and its residents, town centre information, a guide to forthcoming events and details of exciting projects planned as part of the delivery of the Yeovil Vision.

Yeovil Vision has collaborated with the Yeovil Town Centre Partnership and the Western Gazette, to develop this exciting new publication and 2 free magazines are planned each year.

Alan Brown, Director of Yeovil Vision says ‘As a relative newcomer I am continually surprised by how much Yeovil has to offer. I feel it’s important to be proud and confident about the achievements our town has made. We hope that this new magazine will work towards lifting the town’s profile as well as providing information about the high quality regeneration projects that will benefit the people of Yeovil over the coming years. We hope this magazine proves to be an enjoyable and informative read and welcome any feedback or suggestions for features in forthcoming editions.’

Copies of VISION can be found at the Western Gazette offices, tourist information centres, council offices, and at a range of health centres, clinics and retail outlets around the town. Or come along and see us at the Yeovil Flower and Gardener's market on September 13th.

Click here to view PDF Vision Magazine August 2008

Councillors and planning officials at South Somerset District Council have given the go-ahead to the extension of the Quedam Centre involving a flagship department store, 25 retail shops and 11 kiosk outlets.

At the Area South Committee meeting today, councillors voted unanimously in support of the scheme which will radically improve Yeovil’s retail centre, after having agreed on various planning conditions that, amongst others, ensured safe access for all modes of transport including pedestrians.

Cllr Tony Lock, Yeovil East ward member at South Somerset District Council and a member of the Town Council spoke of his support for the scheme and said that it had been a ‘big day for the town.’

Cllr Tony Fife, Area South Chairman for South Somerset District Council and Portfolio Holder for Yeovil Vision commented, “I’m very pleased at the Quedam redevelopment scheme getting the green light. It’s a £45million inward investment for the town and some 900 jobs will be created. Yeovil is currently riding the economic climate fairly well and this can only be a good thing for the town.”

For more information on the proposals follow this link to the Quedam Project Page 

An outline planning application for the redevelopment of the cattle market site into a mixed-use scheme of residential housing, sheltered housing and a nursing home - was deferred at South Somerset District Council's Area South Committee September 2nd, after the developers, ROK, submitted a substantial report late last week.

The report - detailing a revised traffic assessment of the area and transport issues surrounding the plans - was given to the district council on Friday and councillors felt they had no option but to defer consideration until the document had been thoroughly considered and passed through the relevant consultees.

The report will now need to be looked at by relevant organisations including the Highways Authority before the application can be reconsidered by the Area South Committee.

For more information on the development plans for this area, please follow this link: Market Street Area

I was pleased to be asked to provide some comments on the Yeovil Conservation Area and proposed changes to its current boundary. Until studying the document I had not fully appreciated what a rich legacy Yeovil has in terms of historic buildings and associated landscape.

For example I wasn’t aware that Yeovil has over sixty Listed Building entries including the Grade 1 St Johns Church, two Grade11* large former gentry houses and other 18^th and early 19^th century former town houses and Victorian commercial buildings.

 

Alan Brown - Yeovil Vision Project Director

   Tony Fife - Portfolio Holder for Yeovil   Vision:-

   My favourite building is the HSBC building in Yeovil Town Centre.

   My least favourite is the current Police Station at Horsey Roundabout.

Derek Yeomans, Business Crime Reduction Team, Yeovil

    My favourite building is

St John's Church.

The Police Station is my least favourite.

We would be very interested to learn what is your favourite building in Yeovil old or modern and also conversely what is your least favourite building?

Email your nominations for Yeovil's favourite

and least favourite building to us:

My Nominations for the Yeovil Building survey are:

The district council is holding a consultation to ask local children and parents for their ideas on facilities, themes and even a name for the new playspace - which will replace and enlarge the existing play area at Yeovil Recreation Centre.

Robert Parr, South Somerset District Council’s Senior Play and Youth Officer explains, “We are aiming to design a one-of-a-kind play area using the imagination of local children and the practical knowledge of the parents who will take them there.

“The idea is to enhance the existing landscape through using natural play materials such as sand, water and plants, creating a place where children can test their boundaries and play freely outdoors. At the moment it could be based on any theme - from Pirates to the Jungle - and we want to hear from as many people as possible.”

The playspace - which is separate to the council’s plans for a sports zone at the recreation ground - will be designed by award-winning landscape design company Parklife Ltd, who will be visiting local primary schools, secondary schools and events to encourage children to brainstorm ideas for the project through hands-on activities and assemblies.

An online survey has been set up at www.southsomerset.gov.uk/flagship and residents have until Friday 27 June to have their say. Paper copies of the survey are available from council offices or by calling 01935 462462.

Cllr Sylvia Seal, South Somerset District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Well Being said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for people to have their say on their most imaginative ideas for play and leisure. We are very fortunate to have secured the funding to provide what will be an exciting and unique play area for local children and families to enjoy.”

The ‘Flagship Playspace’ project is due to be built by July 2009 after funding was secured from the Big Lottery Fund and the Yeovil Vision.

Click the link for information on the Flagship Play Space Consultation Evening Yeovil Sports Ground Partnership Newsletter

Plans for the proposed re-development for Foundry House and the Mill Lane site were open for public display at the Yeovil Vision office, 80 South Street on Tuesday 13th May between 2pm and 7pm.

The exhibition presented by Cornhill Estates in association with Zero C and Ecos Trust, formed part of the plans for community involvement. Feed back from the exhibition, which was well attended, will accompany the future planning application which hopefully will be submitted in the next month.

For anyone who missed the full exhibition - a limited display is available to view by appointment via the Yeovil Vision Team. Please email your request to:-

Foundry House Viewing. 

Further details of the proposals for the site can be viewed on the Foundry House Project page.

A site of 1.186 acres incorporating Foundry House, a vacant 3 storey listed building has been earmarked by Yeovil Vision for priority development within Yeovil Town Centre.

Following site marketing, South Somerset District Council have accepted a bid submitted by Cornhill Estates to develop the site.

Key elements of the design will see Foundry House sympathetically restored within a high quality mixed-use development, and improved links into the Country Park. SSDC Officers are confident that work on the site can begin late 2008 for completion early in 2010.

Alan Brown, Yeovil Vision Projects Director said, “We are delighted to have selected Cornhill Estates to take forward the regeneration of this high profile Grade 2 listed building and site. This is the first of many exciting schemes for Yeovil.”

Kim Slowe, Managing Director, Cornhill Estates said, “We have committed to delivering a scheme that has individuality, sustainability, and attention to detail at its heart”.

Since Yeovil Vision’s formation in September 2006 a number of exciting projects have commenced including plans to regenerate the Town’s Cattle Market Site and proposals for a major Sports Complex. A wide range of flagship regeneration projects will take in place in Yeovil, over the next 15 years.

Alan Brown, Projects Director for the Vision explained ‘The Vision has entered into an exciting dynamic stage of project delivery and it was time to bring the website up-to-date to reflect this. The new design will make it very easy for local people, developers and partners to keep abreast of development activity. At a glance, visitors will be able to see where the projects are, the development plans, project schedules, and how local communities will benefit. Project information will be updated to reflect latest status and feedback on individual projects will be encouraged. We are very happy to have appointed SSI Web to help us deliver our improved website. They are a Yeovil based company with 10 years’ experience, and have already contributed ideas and suggestions to ensure that our site communicates effectively to all sectors of the community.’

A small launch site is planned to go live by the end of January 2008, with further pages added throughout the Spring. For further information please visit www.yeovilvision.co.uk

This was the excellent opportunity for Chamber Members and guests to find out more about the Vision’s current projects, plans for the future, and the important role it plays in ensuring the town continues to thrive as a regional economic driving force. Following the presentation Alan, together with Simon Gale and David Norris from South Somerset Council’s Planning Department, conducted a question and answer session on some of the 20 Vision projects, which span mixed-use, sport, leisure, and highways developments.

The ‘Team Yeovil’ approach to developments was stressed, showing how the Vision works closely with a full range of public and private sector partners to achieve its objectives. If your group would like Alan to present on the Progress of Yeovil Vision, please contact the Yeovil Vision Office on 01935 462669.