Plans to build nearly 80 new homes near Ansford Academy in Castle Cary, Somerset, are under consideration, with a decision expected from Somerset Council in the coming months. The proposed development, submitted by local employer Wyke Farms, would see up to 77 homes constructed on the southern side of Maggs Lane, just a short distance from the secondary school and adjacent to Caryford Community Hall.
Ansford Academy serves roughly 500 students aged 11 to 16, making the location ideal for new family-oriented housing. The development site is an L-shaped area bordered by Solomon’s Lane and an existing playing field, with access planned via a new junction on Maggs Lane opposite the school’s sports pitches. Pedestrian routes will connect to Solomon’s Lane and the community field, complemented by new public open spaces on the site’s edges.
Importantly, 27 of the homes—just over a third—will be affordable, meeting the council’s target of 35% affordable housing for developments of ten or more homes within the former South Somerset area. The housing mix will include one-bedroom flats and bungalows up to five-bedroom houses, with affordable units centrally located within the scheme.
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Roach Planning, representing Wyke Farms, noted that the natural growth directions for Ansford and Castle Cary are north and east, influenced by the nearby railway station and landscape considerations. The two settlements offer essential amenities, including education, healthcare, employment, shops, recreation, and strong transport links—with the town center, station, and bus services all within walking or cycling distance.
This proposal follows recent approvals for nearby housing projects, including 81 homes on the former BMI site and 24 houses on Olympic Drive, signaling growing developer interest in Castle Cary’s eastern side. The new development will also contribute financially to local schools, sports facilities, and community infrastructure, with details to be confirmed through negotiations with council planners.
A decision on this key housing proposal is anticipated within the next six months, potentially delivering much-needed homes and community benefits to the area around Ansford Academy.