12 Jun

Town Council raises fresh concerns over increasing spread of HMOs in Bridgwater

Bridgwater Town Council has reiterated its growing concern over the increasing number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the town, following consideration of a new planning application at a recent Planning Committee meeting. The application, submitted to Somerset Council, proposed converting 127 Bristol Road from an existing six-bedroom HMO into an eight-bedroom property. Somerset Council notifies Bridgwater Town Council of all planning applications within the parish boundary, with the Town Council acting as a non-statutory consultee. While the Town Council reviews applications and submits comments reflecting local concerns, the final decision lies with Somerset Council’s Area North Planning Committee. After reviewing the proposal, Bridgwater Town Council’s Planning Committee objected to the application, citing concerns about overdevelopment and pressures on local infrastructure.

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11 Jun

Town Councillors Welcome ‘Pride in Place’ Chair Appointment

Sam Smith is Pride in Place Chair for Bridgwater South

An important step forward has been made in the delivery of a major government funding initiative for a Bridgwater community.Pride in Place is a 10-year programme aimed at making a difference to people’s lives in Bridgwater South and a board made up of local people will be at the forefront of making decisions on how the funding is spent. A Chair of the Pride in Place board has now been confirmed following a selection process. Bridgwater Town Council, Somerset Council, and the local MP will work alongside the board and new Chair, Sam Smith.

The Bridgwater South area is made up of the communities which surround the Meads which includes the Hamp neighbourhood and parts of Westover and is one of 169 areas in England to be selected. It will receive up to £20 million over the next decade to support projects that matter to the community. Continue reading “Town Councillors Welcome ‘Pride in Place’ Chair Appointment”

7 Jun

2026 Bridgwater Petanque Champions are MALTA!

For the 10th year in a row now Bridgwater has held a Petanque tournament between the members of (and any visitors from) their 6 twin towns. This year it was the team representing Marsa (Malta) that won. The tournament was held at Victoria Park where Bridgwater Town Council have created a new Petanque terrain open to anyone to use. Held on Friday 5th June the contest also featured  teams representing Bridgwater UK and Bridgewater (USA).

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22 May

Town Development Forum 19 January 2026

Focus on the Celebration Mile

On 19th January the Town Council’s ‘Town Development Forum’ held a meeting with councillors, partners and officers to raise the towns views on the Celebration Mile. After this a cross party motion calling for a review was passed by all councillors. The report of the January meeting is contained here for people to refresh themselves as to the history of the Celebration Mile and peoples views for and against.

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19 May

Bridgwater Twinning Gala 2026

On Saturday 6th June it’ll be D-Day for the Bridgwater Twinning Community  as they take to the stage of Bridgwater arts centre to present their annual ‘what we’ve done this year’ show. Everyone is welcome to attend the event and a minimal entry fee of £5 also ensures top quality international entertainment by the French-Belgian Gyspsy Jazz band Bellevilloise performing live. Bridgwater has 6 international twinnings stretching back to 1957 when La Ciotat on the Medeteranean coast of France became our first. In 1992 the town twinned with Homberg in Germany and at the same time became the first British town to twin with a Czech partner, Uherske Hradiste. In 2004 the port town of Marsa in Malta was added to the list and in 2015 it was Priverno in Italy. Bridgwater’s most recent twinning was with Camacha on the Portuguese island of Madeira in 2019. There will be films, slideshows, talks and music . Doors open at 7pm and there’s a bar!