A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to finance a judicial review aimed at halting a contentious housing development in Castle Cary. The project, proposed by Abri (formerly Yarlington Housing Association), plans to build 27 affordable homes on the Foxes Run site, located off Bridgewater Buildings on the southwestern edge of the town.
Originally granted planning permission on appeal in April 2019, the development has faced strong opposition from local residents and historians. Concerns center on claims that the land may contain an unexploded World War II bomb, dropped during a Luftwaffe raid in 1942. Despite these fears, Abri denies the presence of any such ordnance and has pressed ahead with initial site clearance since April 2022, even after the original planning permission expired.
In August 2024, Abri sought to modify several planning conditions to proceed with construction, a move that received approval from the Planning Inspectorate. However, local councillor Henry Hobhouse has challenged the decision, calling for the original permission to be revoked and launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise £50,000 by February 17 to fund a judicial review.
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The Foxes Run site lies between Bridgewater Buildings and Remalard Court, with only Bridgewater Buildings providing vehicle access. Abri emphasizes that the development will be a “100 per cent affordable housing scheme for local households,” helping to address the council’s housing needs.
Councillor Hobhouse, representing Castle Cary as one of two Liberal Democrat councillors, criticizes the Planning Inspectorate’s decision, citing inaccuracies in the report—particularly regarding traffic assessments. He states that the report underestimates the impact of heavy goods vehicles, which will deliver approximately 3,200 tonnes of building materials, causing significant disruption to residents along Mill Lane, Brookfields, and nearby roads.
The historical context adds further weight to the controversy. Castle Cary suffered a Luftwaffe bombing on September 3, 1942, which destroyed a goods train, demolished the signal box, killed a signalman, and destroyed the Station Hotel. According to the 1992 local history book Somerset Within Living Memory, five bombs were dropped near South Cary Lane, with one reportedly landing on the current development site. Efforts to remove the unexploded bomb were reportedly abandoned due to marshy ground conditions.
Hobhouse warns, “The presence of a Second World War bomb on the site introduces a serious safety risk that appears insufficiently addressed in the planning decision. Large-scale construction here demands meticulous risk management, yet this critical factor was overlooked.”
He calls on the community to support the judicial review campaign: “If you believe in responsible planning and the safety of our neighborhood, please contribute whatever you can to this cause. Your support will help us challenge this decision and protect Castle Cary’s residents from potential hazards and disruption.”
As of February 5, the GoFundMe campaign had raised £4,445, around nine per cent of its £50,000 goal. If successful, the funds will cover legal fees for barristers and associated costs needed to secure permission for a one-day High Court hearing, expected to occur before the end of 2025 with a ruling anticipated in early 2026.