Developer launches appeal against the ‘unsound’ reasons for rejection

NEARLY 50 new homes could still be built on the edge of a growing local town if an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate proves successful.

- DANIEL MUMBY Local democracy journalist

Castle Cary LVA LLP applied in October 2023 for outline permission to build 46 homes on the B3152 South Street in Castle Cary, just north of the town’s cemetery.

Somerset Council's planning committee south (which handles major applications in the former South Somerset area) threw out the plans in January 2025 after a lengthy debate - despite the government raising the council's annual target for delivering new homes.

The developer has now appealed the decision, with the Planning Inspectorate expected to make a final ruling on the proposal by the early-autumn.

The proposed homes will be sandwiched between the cemetery and the existing homes on Cockhill Elm Lane, with pedestrian access being provided onto the former to link up with the Macmillan Way long-distance footpath. While there are pavements linking the site to the town centre, they are quite narrow in places and there is limited provision for cyclists or mobility scooters.