Controversial homes bid wins unanimous backing

MORE than 160 new homes will be coming to Castle Cary after plans were unanimously backed by local councillors.

- DANIEL MUMBY Local democracy journalist [e-mail]

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley secured outline permission from South Somerset District Council in June 2016 to deliver up to 165 new homes on the B3152 Station Road, with land being set aside within the site for a brand new primary school.

The developer put forward a reserved matters application (detailing the design and layout of the new homes) in June 2019, with the number of planned homes being reduced down to 162 following discussions with planning officers.

Somerset Council (which replaced the district council in April 2023) has now given these revised plans its backing, meaning that construction could ramp up before the year is over.

‘The revised proposals for the Station Road site will see 162 homes delivered along a central spine road, which will provide a direct link with Torbay Road.

Of these homes, 57 will be affordable, meeting the council's target of 35 per cent affordable housing for any new development of ten homes or more within the former South Somerset area.

Each of the homes will be constructed to high energy efficiency standard, with a number being equipped with solar panels and electric vehicle charging points. Land within the site has been safeguarded for both an extension to the Torbay Road industrial estate and a new primary school, with the Bristol-based developer also setting aside more than £404,000 towards new school places in the town.

Under the legal agreements for the outline plans, the developer must also provide more than £131,000 towards local changing rooms, nearly £67,000 towards new or existing playing pitches, nearly £85,000 for enhancing community hall facilities (either in Castle Cary or Ansford) and £27,500 towards local youth facilities.