Over the past decade, Somerset’s towns and villages have undergone significant transformations. With a new Local Plan forthcoming, the prospect of additional housing developments looms large across the county’s communities. This article examines Castle Cary, a quaint town in Somerset, exploring how it has evolved and what the future holds.
Castle Cary, with its historic railway station opened in 1856 and picturesque surroundings, retains a rural charm reminiscent of a bygone era. However, this idyllic landscape is poised to change dramatically. The last green field south of the station, known as ‘Station Green,’ is set to be developed with 200 new homes, following outline permission granted on appeal in May 2022 despite earlier council refusal due to concerns about the impact on the countryside.
Local residents like Brian Lush argue that such large-scale developments should wait until the new Somerset Local Plan is finalized in 2029 to ensure coherent planning. Additional infrastructure improvements, such as a proposed roundabout at the Station Road junction, are called for to accommodate increased traffic.
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Beyond Station Green, new housing projects are emerging throughout Castle Cary. Blackhouse Housing aims to add 60 homes behind Ansford Hill, expanding on previous developments at Lovel’s Farm. Meanwhile, Stonewater’s Mulberry Meadows estate, with its orchard-inspired street names, has faced controversy after the developer avoided £575,000 in contributions towards local facilities due to financial viability concerns. This situation underscores wider challenges in Somerset concerning genuine housing affordability and whether new homes are accessible to local residents.
Community voices reflect these dilemmas. Jilly Sowden highlights the disconnect between planning decisions and local needs, noting the scarcity of local young residents in new homes. Penny Gruber raises concerns over housing affordability and market demand, pointing out that many properties are expensive and social housing allocations minimal.
Additional projects are impacted by external factors such as the coronavirus pandemic and environmental issues like the phosphate crisis, which have delayed developments including Abri’s 36-home proposal and Redcliffe Homes’ 29-home project near Almsford Close.
Castle Cary has also contended with unique challenges, such as the infamous sinkhole that appeared in 2021 and, more recently, Persimmon Homes’ removal of a species-rich hedge to create access for a 162-home development, stirring environmental concerns.
Plans for community facilities remain uncertain. Although land for a new primary school has been allocated near Mulberry Meadows, Somerset’s declining birth rate and financial difficulties cast doubt on the timeline for its construction. Former resident Heather Burch voices worries about overcrowded services including schools, healthcare, and dental care.
The planning landscape has been complicated by a national shortage of officers, rising housing targets, and legal appeals. Sites such as Foxes Run and land near the town cemetery have faced delays or refusals, with appeals pending or hearings scheduled.
Conversely, a brownfield site at the former BMI factory off Cumnock Road presents a rare success story, having received planning permission after multiple inquiries and delays, with plans for 105 homes now approved.
If all current projects proceed, Castle Cary could see over 660 new homes in the near future—significantly increasing the town’s size and prompting concerns about it becoming a commuter hub. Roger Lush, a former town councillor, fears that diminished local influence and insufficient infrastructure investment will harm the community’s character and local businesses.
Balancing the protection of Castle Cary’s unique character with the pressing need to address the UK’s housing crisis remains a complex issue. Rising house prices and rental costs make homeownership increasingly unattainable for many young Somerset residents, intensifying the call for affordable housing.
Somerset County Council is now working toward a new Local Plan, with public consultations scheduled for 2026 and 2027, and an anticipated adoption date in March 2029. This plan aims to guide sustainable growth while preserving the community’s essence, offering residents a chance to shape the town’s future amid inevitable change.