By Harry Mottram: The Planning and Licences Committee of Axbridge Town Council will discuss a number of contentious plans for development in and around the town on Monday 8 June 2026 at 7.30pm in the Town Hall.
These will include plans and updates for a change of use of land to Gypsy and Traveller site to include 1no. pitch
and associated works on Land West of St Michaels & North of A371, Cheddar Road, Axbridge, Somerset. A plan that has already prompted considerable discussion online and in started a petition against the idea.
Also on the agenda is an application or rather updates on and plans for continuing work to convert the former Axbridge Court Nursing Home off West Street.
And the committee hope to hear any updates on the plans for a housing estate off Orchard Road as well as Bristol Water’s plans for Cheddar Reservoir 2, its new treatment works and the pipeline to Devon.
The meeting is open to the public
South West Water
The firm behind the plans to build a new reservoir between Cheddar and Axbridge, South West Water who own Bristol Water, have been fined for the contamination of water in Devon. In 2024 the parasite cryptosporidium affected hundreds of homes supplied with water in the Brixham area after it got into the water causing four people to be admitted to hospital with cases of sickness and diarrhoea with a further 140 people abdly affected as well. Ofwat – the industry watchdog and regulator fined the company on Tuesday 2 June, £1.93m, comprising a £1.853m fine, a surcharge of £2,000 and costs of £75,000.
Open Gardens
Held on a rainy Saturday and a slightly less damp Sunday the Axbridge Open Gardens was a great success with visitor numbers comfortably in three figures. Some gardens were open both days and some for one day teas and cakes on sale at Sunnymead on Cheddar Road and plants for sale at Wavecrest in the same street. Some hosts also offered complementary wine as well – with each five pound ticket sold for the event going to the Friends of Axbridge Church – a charity dedicated to preserving the town’s ancient place of worship but also as an architectural delight and a cornerstone of the community’s social history. The joint efforts of those involved help raise around £1,400 for the charity – with the medieval wall painting in the church subject to preservation work.
Hospital merger
Weston Hospital is set to be linked to Southmead in North Bristol. In July 2026, the trust plans to merge with North Bristol NHS Trust to create Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.
The University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is a National Health Service foundation trust in Bristol and Weston-super-Mare, England. The trust runs Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol Eye Hospital, South Bristol Community Hospital, Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, St Michael’s Hospital, University of Bristol Dental Hospital and, since 1 April 2020, Weston General Hospital.
Ball Run
The town’s Sports and Social Society have organised Summer Party in the Square on Saturday 11th July, with children’s entertainment, a barbeque, live music and food stands – plus a ball run. For a fiver you get three plastic balls – on the day all the balls are rolled down the High Street in a grand race – a bit like plastic duck races on small streams and rivers – and the winners win prizes – you can still ‘grab your balls’ – their words not mine – by contacting the society at https://www.facebook.com/people/Axbridge-Sports-Social-Club/61559132188770/?_rdr .
The Sports and Social Club was set up to promote the community within Axbridge and to set up events to benefit the town.
The local history group based at King John’s Hunting Lodge have a trip planned to visit the SS Gt Britain on Wednesday 17th June with a mini bus from the Square pick up at 9.45am. The cost will be a max of £30 per head payable on the day. If you are interested and would like to join the society email Liz at moorlandfm@btinternet.com for more details.
Axbridge’s Rumble in the Jumble takes place on Sunday 28th June from 10am and proceeds will go towards the King John’s Hunting Lodge, so come to Axbridge and have a browse around the town. The Museum will be having a table top sale and many interesting books will be offered for a modest fee.
And there is a recruitment and information night for this year’s pantomime Dick Whittington on Sunday 14 June in the Town Hall at 7pm. Axbridge Community Theatre are behind the event – with the panto taking place in November.
There are regular spoken word and accoustic nights at the Axe Vale Arts Centre in West Street with Tango Calor on Sunday 14th June – they are a collective of musicians with a love of Argentine Tango.
Axbridge Diary of Events
Some Axbridge dates coming up. Send Axbridge events to me and I’ll try to keep the list updated. Email: harryfmottram@gmail.com I’ll also post on my website at https://www.harrymottram.co.uk/diary/
Coming up is a Fun Day in the Square, Open Gardens, pantomime recruitment and lots of events at the Axe Vale Arts centre – check them out as for a small town Axbridge punches above its weight.
Harry Mottram
Note: I get asked this frequently so just to repeat I write up these stories from time to time out of personal interest – all the information is in the public domain – I put it together, so it makes sense to me. I am not paid – my main job is covering Bath for Bath Voice News and ICSM of Bridgwater which is about business insolvencies. I have lived in Old Church Road for over 25 years and am married to Linda – our four children went to the local state schools. I’ve always taken an interest in local affairs having worked as a journalist in Somerset for many years. More at at www.harrymottram.co.uk and social media on X as @harrythe spiv, Facebook, Blue Sky, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads and God knows where else!
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