Plans to merge the neighboring Somerset parishes of Castle Cary and Ansford have been officially shelved due to insufficient public support. Over the past decade, Castle Cary has experienced rapid expansion, with numerous new homes emerging in both the town and the adjacent parish of Ansford, home also to Castle Cary railway station. This growth has rendered existing parish boundaries outdated, with some lines awkwardly cutting through residences.
The issue gained momentum following a petition by Councillor Henry Hobhouse, prompting Somerset Council to conduct a governance review in late 2025. The outcomes were reviewed by the council’s constitution and governance committee in Taunton. Despite some approval, the merger failed to garner widespread backing, particularly from Ansford residents.
Steven Lake, the council’s electoral services manager, reported: “The consultation demonstrates insufficient support from both communities to proceed with the proposals to merge the two parishes. Although 53.6% overall approved, only 35.3% of Ansford responders supported it. Nonetheless, there is clear evidence for administrative boundary reviews to ensure definitive divisions between the communities.”
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Currently, Castle Cary has 1,883 registered voters, while Ansford has 1,174. Minor boundary adjustments are planned to address anomalies, including repositioning the boundary to encompass the Crown Pet Foods factory fully within Castle Cary and transferring several properties on Churchfield Drive into Ansford parish.
Local voices strongly influenced the decision. Summer Easeman, Ansford Parish Council’s youngest member and a disabled parent, cautioned that merging would “silence a vital local voice” essential for grassroots democracy. She highlighted ongoing community achievements like planned zebra crossings funded through collaborations with councils and developers, emphasizing the importance of retaining a dedicated parish council to continue such progress.
Ansford resident Fiona Houlton pointed out demographic shifts, noting the area is attracting younger families and new housing developments. She warned that forcing a merger now would undermine the legitimacy of future governance for residents shaping the parish’s trajectory.
Conversely, Castle Cary resident Simon Bebbington advocated union, citing benefits from combining voices when seeking funding for community projects, such as improvements to the Donald Pither pavilion. Castle Cary Town Council chairman Trevor Oats echoed this sentiment, envisioning a unified council better equipped to serve all residents equitably.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Tim Kerley of Somerton underscored the importance of respecting community sentiment over administrative convenience, referencing similar mergers in Langport and Huish Episcopi that succeeded only when the public was on board.
After a brief discussion, the committee voted decisively against pursuing the merger, choosing instead to maintain the distinct identity of both parishes while making targeted boundary corrections.