The government says it's too early to confirm if brownfield sites adjacent to Somerset's railway lines might be transformed into new housing.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander MP said last week that the government aims to deliver up to 40,000 homes in the coming decade by developing surplus brownfield land near train stations, depots, and other rail infrastructure.
To spearhead the £1bn scheme, the government has established Platform4, a development company, with several significant projects in major cities already in the pipeline.
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However, the Department for Transport (DfT) has not been able to confirm whether any locations near Somerset's rail network will see redevelopment within the next ten years, admitting it "doesn't have an exhaustive list" of potential sites.
Platform4, the newly formed entity, merges Network Rail's property division with London and Continental Railways Ltd., which the Government hopes will mean more efficient construction processes and will allow for more private investment.
The profits from this property venture will be channelled back into the 海角视频's railways, enhancing services and infrastructure, thereby delivering value for both passengers and taxpayers.
Mrs Alexander said: "Our railways are more than just connections between places – they create economic opportunity and drive regeneration.
"It's exciting to picture the thousands of families who will live in these future homes, the vibrant neighbourhoods springing up and the new businesses that will launch thanks to these developments.
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"Platform4 will breathe new life into these spaces, delivering tens of thousands of new homes as part of our Plan for Change promise to build 1.5 million homes, while reviving communities around rail stations, supporting jobs and driving economic growth."
The DfT has already revealed development locations in Cambridge, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham, which are anticipated to provide more than 2,700 homes collectively.
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner MP said: "We are facing a housing crisis which has led to a generation being locked out of home ownership, all while land sits empty and disused across the country.
"We said we'd do everything possible to get Britain building."
Apart from the West Somerset Railway and East Somerset Railway heritage lines, Somerset boasts four mainline rail corridors:.
- The Bristol to Exeter mainline, which serves Highbridge & Burnham, Bridgwater and Taunton stations (with Wellington being added within the next two years).
- The Taunton to London Paddington line, which connects Taunton, Castle Cary, Bruton and Frome.
- The West of England mainline, which connects Crewkerne, Yeovil Junction and Templecombe.
- The Bristol to Weymouth line, which connects Yeovil Pen Mill, Castle Cary, Bruton and Frome.
Somerset has seen several new developments in the vicinity of its railway stations, with projects like the Firepool Lock developments in Taunton and the Henley Way estate in Highbridge recently completed.
Further similar schemes are on the horizon across the county, including the Station Green project which will see 200 homes built near Castle Cary station and a new estate comprising 60 homes on Cherry Blossom Way in Sparkford.
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The Department for Transport (DfT) has indicated that it is premature to determine whether any brownfield sites in Somerset would be included under the Platform4 initiative.
A spokesperson commented: "There will be a pipeline of schemes, but we don't have an exhaustive list at this stage as Platform4 has only just been set up."
They concluded: "We'll be able to say more down the track."