A FURTHER 60 homes could be built within walking distance of a busy Somerset railway station if new plans are approved.

Castle Cary has seen significant housing growth over the last decade, with numerous new estates being approved between the town centre and the railway station, which lies in the neighbouring parish of Ansford.

Revised proposals for the Station Green development were published in October 2024, entailing the delivery of 200 homes between the railway station and the A371 Ansford Hill (where outline planning permission was granted on appeal in May 2022).

Backhouse Housing has now teased on initial plans to deliver a further 60 homes immediately south of this site – with local residents only having until Monday (August 4) to give their views.

Backhouse – which is based in Chippenham – previously delivered 74 homes on the neighbouring Lovel’s Farm site, which lies off the B3152 Station Road.

This new development would be accessed from Burfitt Road within the Lovel’s Farm site, with a pedestrian access being provided onto Lockett Drive at the site’s western edge.

The developer has also hinted that a pedestrian crossing could be delivered over Ansford Hill, providing a complete walking and cycling link to the railway station via the existing footpath on the eastern perimeter of the Station Green site.

However, it is not clear at this juncture whether a pedestrian link to the south will be provided, linking the site to Redcliffe Homes’ planned development of 29 houses (which was approved in September 2024).

In line with Somerset Council’s existing planning policies, 35 per cent of the new homes will be affordable – the equivalent of 21 properties.

A spokesman for Grass Roots Planning (representing the developer) said: “The site is in a suitable location for development with accessibility to a multitude of everyday facilities available within Ansford and Castle Cary, including education, retail, employment and leisure uses.

“The existing access serving the residential development onto Station Road is sufficiently wide to accommodate the additional development proposed.

“An appropriate number of car parking spaces will be provided to ensure that residents and visitors can park their cars on site without overspill onto adjacent streets.”

Castle Cary lies within the River Brue catchment area, meaning that Blackhouse will need to secure additional mitigation as part of the development to prevent any net increase in phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors.

The developer is proposing to create a new orchard on the eastern part of the site to assist with this, as well as meeting government requirements that any new development must boost biodiversity by ten per cent.

To give your views on the initial proposals, visit www.backhouseconsultation.co.uk/castle-cary before August 4.

Alternatively, residents can email feedback to [email protected] or post a written response to Grass Roots Planning, Suites 9 & 10, Bristol North Baths, 98 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8BN.

Following a consultation of the public consultation, a formal planning application will be submitted to the council before Christmas.