Homes approved in long-running Castle Cary scheme
FPCRPlans for more than 160 new homes in Castle Cary that were first proposed in 2016, have been unanimously approved by Somerset county councillors.
Developer Persimmon Homes Severn Valley first secured outline permission for the development on the B3152 Station Road nine years ago, before putting forward revised plans in 2019.
Somerset Council has now given the revised plans its backing.
It comes despite the developer sparking some anger in February when it removed large sections of a hedge described as "species rich", though it and the council said the activity was in line with the outline planning permission.
The revised plans will see 162 homes built along a central spine road, with a direct link to Torbay Road, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
According to the developer, 57 of the homes will be classed as affordable, which meets Somerset Council's target of 35% affordable housing for new developments of 10 homes or more.
The Torbay Road industrial estate will be extended and a new primary school built, while the developer must also provide money towards local changing rooms, new or existing sports pitches and improving community hall facilities in either Castle Cary or Ansford.
A trustee of countryside charity CPRE Somerset called the plans "poorly designed".
"This is a bland, 'anywhere' estate in defiance of the national design guide, with identikit houses – it lacks identity," Fletcher Robinson said.
Local councillor Kevin Messenger said: "The people of Castle Cary feel like they've been invaded by developers, and we've have had nearly 1,000 new houses - should this go through alongside the other developments.
"But there has to come a point where we have to accept these developments. You're never going to please all of the people all of the time."
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