Castle Cary, a rapidly growing town in Somerset, is considering merging with its neighboring parish, Ansford, ahead of the upcoming local elections—pending resident approval of the proposals.
Over the past decade, Castle Cary has experienced significant expansion, with numerous new homes constructed not only in the town itself but also in Ansford, which includes the Castle Cary railway station area. This growth has rendered existing parish boundaries outdated, with one boundary line even running through the middle of a residential property.
In response to petitions submitted by both Ansford Parish Council and Castle Cary Town Council in late July, a governance review has been initiated to assess the potential merger. If approved, the change would come into effect during the local elections scheduled for May 2027.
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Currently, Castle Cary has 1,883 registered voters, while Ansford has 1,174. The proposed combined parish council—tentatively named ‘Ansford and Castle Cary Parish Council’—would comprise 11 parish councillors, though the official name will be decided through the consultation process.
Steven Lake, electoral services manager, addressed the council’s constitution and governance committee in Taunton on September 11, highlighting the complexities of the current boundary which traverses some properties including those at Churchfield Drive and Ansford Road. Councillor Henry Hobhouse remarked on the challenges of canvassing the area due to the confusing parish lines.
After a brief discussion, the committee unanimously agreed to proceed with the governance review. A public consultation involving key stakeholders, including local council members and MP Sarah Dyke, will take place this autumn. Formal proposals are expected back before the committee by February 2026, followed by a second consultation period in March and April 2026. The final recommendations will be concluded by the end of 2026 to enable implementation for the 2027 local elections.