Cotswold new paint rules and solar farm plans

New rules have been introduced to protect the character of the village of Snowshill in the Cotswolds

Here's our weekly roundup of stories from across local websites in the West of England.

We have a daily round up as well. Make sure you look out for it on the website and the local section of the BBC News app.

What have been the big stories in the West this week?

A mother has been charged on suspicion of three counts of murder after her young children were killed at their home in Bristol in 2024. Yasmeen Ali, 43, is due to appear in court at a later date.

Plans have been submitted to build a controversial solar farm on land north of the M4 near Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Permission for Lime Down Solar Park by Island Green Power will be decided by Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband.

An interview with the family of 79-year-old Cheryl Decarteret, who died after being hit by a reversing van in Lowbourne, Melksham, was a top post for ITV West Country and Wiltshire Live.

The chief constable of Gloucestershire Constabulary, Rod Hansen, who is currently suspended, will face misconduct proceedings over allegations he failed to respond appropriately to a data breach.

Meanwhile, residents in a Cotswold village, which featured in the film Bridget Jones's Diary, will now have to apply for planning permission to paint their houses a different colour.

While in Somerset, Yeovil Town Council has announced it will take out a £3.3m loan to refurbish and reopen the Octagon theatre, which has been closed for more than two years.

Top five local stories for the BBC in the West

Something longer to read

The family of three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer who disappeared from Fairy Meadow beach, in New South Wales, Australia, more than 50 years ago has criticised police for not formally interviewing potential eyewitnesses during a review of the case.

She went missing on 12 January 1970, not long after the Grimmer family had emigrated from Bristol.

A recent review into the case has concluded, with the family told it had not brought up any new evidence that could lead to a conviction.

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