Friday, April 24th, 2026

⚡️ A developer is appealing the denial of planning permission to build a 28- hectare solar farm in fields to the west of Bath between Newton St Loe, Saltford and Compton Dando, reports the Bath Echo. Conrad Energy says it ‘strongly disagrees’ with the objections. The BBC reported back in 2024 on the project and local residents’ concerns. The firm was given planning permission for another solar project near Yeovil in February.

🚨 An 80-year-old Bath driver has admitted in court that he caused a cyclist serious injury, reports the Bath Echo.

😂 The Council says it has launched a webpage to help citizens spot misinformation and disinformation. Local news sites get no mention at all, leading investigative journalists at Somerset Confidential to ask the Council some tough questions… to which they have received NO information!

🅿️ There’s been huge opposition to proposed Larkhall parking restrictions, reports the Bath Echo.

🚁 Air ambulance charities are worried about rising fuel costs, reports the BBC.

🏓 Planning permission has previously been denied for two different Padel courts in Bath. Now, as Local Democracy Reporter John Wimperis explains, padel has secretly kicked Bath planners’ butts.

😎 JACKPOT! Sun forecast all weekend. 🎉

👨🏼‍🌾 Check out Bitton’s book-themed Scarecrow trail, via the Bath Echo.

🚒 Local firefighters are demonstrating water safety on Saturday in Brunel Square from 11am to 3pm.

🏠 Ahead of new renters’ protections coming in nationally from May 1, the Council is supporting a roadshow for citizens on Thursday, 30 April in Kingsmead Square, 10am to 1pm. More info here.

📜 Bath’s latest Mayor’s Guides FREE summer walks start soon. All details here.

🧘🏻‍♀️ Bath City Farm hosts garden yoga sessions through May.

🍯 Food journalist and Frome Food Network founder, Hugh Thomas, explains why a local jar of honey costs more. Loads more regional food stories on The Wallfish Journal.

🏠 Plans have been submitted to turn a property in Fairfield Park into a six person HMO, reports the Bath Echo.

💎 More than 600 items were stolen from a Bristol museum last winter. The BBC has more details on what was taken and what police know:

🚨 A serial shoplifter has been banned from the Julian Road Co-op, reports the Bath Echo.

🍷 A driver who was more than four times over the legal alcohol limit has been given a suspended sentence, reports the Bath Echo.

🚴🏻‍♀️ Bathwick residents can share their views to proposed changes to road use, reports the Bath Echo.

⛔️ There’s a one-way system on St James’s Parade in the city centre due to a collapsing vault underneath, reports the Bath Echo.

🚍 Buses will replace trains between Bath Spa and Chippenham or Westbury on 25–26 April and 2–4 May, as work begins on the Box tunnel and the Grade II listed Sydney Gardens footbridge.

• Rail tickets will be accepted on First Bus services between Bath and Trowbridge or Frome.

• Trains between London Paddington and Bath Spa will run via an alternative route between Swindon and Bristol Temple Meads and will not stop at Chippenham.

🛣️ A six-month road closure begins on Manvers Street from 26th May, as the Council carries out essential reconstruction work, with bus diversions and disruption expected, reports the Bath Echo.

🐸 The Charlcombe Toad Patrol had its third busiest year in its history, with 2026 the best season for toads since 2012, reports the BBC.

🦎 A girl has found the first axolotl in the UK in a Welsh River. Native to Mexico, ‘Dippy’ is the size of a small cat, writes the Guardian. The BBC first reported the story. Hear 10-year-old Evie describe how she found it.

👈🏽 90 years on, why are Somerset’s ‘finger’ posts so distinctive? The BBC explains.

👷🏼‍♂️ A Bath builder was jailed after gambling away fees for an extension.

🚁 A woman died during a visit to a Weston retirement home.

🏊🏻‍♀️ Cleveland Pools may be easier to re-open after the collapse of its operating company.