Somerset Council rejects Belstone Fox’s plan for a care home and eighteen houses near Woodlands Castle, citing harm to the area.
Somerset Council refused the plan, believing it would harm the area’s character, including both the castle and the village. Alison Blom-Cooper explained the refusal, citing three main reasons.
According to Blom-Cooper, new homes would hurt the listed building, breaking local rules for the area. Additionally, the care home’s design seemed out of place and not in line with the area’s style. Finally, the project would extend Ruishton too much, causing the village to blur into Taunton Gateway.
The council recently lost another appeal regarding a nearby building project. Taylor Wimpey sought to build homes on the Brookfield Nursery site, located across from Ruishton Lane.
Woodlands Castle dates back to the 1600s. It used to be a venue for weddings and a conference center, but it closed in 2020 during the pandemic.
In 2021, the building was used as a cannabis farm, resulting in significant damage from vandalism. The developer warned of future issues and that temporary repairs might fail quickly.
The plan included converting the castle into a house. Sixteen more houses would be added, forming three separate groups. The care home would be near the entrance, north of Ruishton Lane’s access point.
Speaking for Belstone Fox, an architect stated the plan would fix the neglected castle, securing the building’s future. The care home would offer seventy beds, which would count towards local targets. Furthermore, residents could downsize from bigger homes, freeing up housing for local families.
The care facility was expected to improve residents’ lives. The architects stated that they carefully considered the design and aimed to improve the surrounding area.
Council planners denied permission using their own authority; the planning committee did not make the call. Belstone Fox has not stated their next steps, but they might appeal the refusal decision.