A new proposal to build 49 homes near Castle Cary railway station has been submitted by Backhouse Housing, marking a revision from initial plans for 60 homes. This development, situated on Burfitt Road opposite a planned larger estate north of Ansford Hill, responds to community feedback following an earlier consultation.
Castle Cary has experienced notable growth in housing over the past decade, especially between its town centre and the railway station located in neighboring Ansford parish. Backhouse, a Chippenham-based developer known for delivering 74 homes on the adjacent Lovel’s Farm site, aims to expand local housing stock further with this project.
Access to the new site will be from Burfitt Road within Lovel’s Farm, featuring pedestrian links onto Lockett Drive and Ansford Hill. Plans include a possible pedestrian crossing on Ansford Hill to enhance connectivity. These pathways aim to establish a continuous walking and cycling route to Castle Cary railway station, which accommodates approximately 310,000 passenger journeys annually, via the existing Station Green footpath.
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However, there is currently no planned pedestrian connection between Backhouse’s development and a neighboring 29-home project by Redcliffe Homes on Station Road, approved the previous year.
Grass Roots Planning, representing Backhouse Housing, emphasized the benefits of the project: 49 new dwellings—up to 17 designated as affordable—in a location identified by authorities as urgently needing housing supply. The developer expects construction to be completed within five years, aligning with local needs.
The scheme’s density has been adjusted to blend with the site’s character and neighboring developments, ensuring a harmonious community environment. A spokesman stated, “We encourage the council to approve the application promptly to address the immediate housing deficit and enable swift delivery in this sustainable location.”
Environmental considerations are paramount, as Castle Cary lies within the River Brue catchment area. To mitigate potential impacts on the vulnerable Somerset Levels and Moors, Backhouse will introduce measures including a new orchard on the site’s eastern side. This approach also supports government mandates to increase biodiversity by at least 10% on new developments.
Somerset Council is expected to decide on this and the revised Station Green plans by year’s end. Given their scale, decisions will likely be made publicly by the council’s planning committee south rather than through delegated officer powers, reflecting the developments’ importance to the region.