Residents of Castle Cary, a thriving town in Somerset, are being invited to share their opinions on a proposed merger with the adjacent parish of Ansford. Over the past decade, Castle Cary has experienced significant growth, with numerous new homes constructed both within the town and in Ansford, which notably includes the Castle Cary railway station.
This surge in development has rendered the existing parish boundaries outdated—one boundary line even bisects a residential property. In response, Somerset Council has initiated a governance review to consider whether a new, combined parish council should be formed to better represent the expanding community.
Currently, Castle Cary has 1,883 registered voters, while Ansford has 1,174. If the parishes merge, the proposed “Ansford and Castle Cary Parish Council” would comprise 11 parish councillors, with the final name to be confirmed during the consultation process.
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A spokesperson for Somerset Council explained that the review aims to ensure parish governance aligns with community identity and interests, while enhancing effectiveness, convenience, and cohesion. The process will examine options including creating, merging, altering, or abolishing parishes, naming and styling any new entities, adjusting electoral arrangements, and grouping or separating parishes under a shared council.
Steven Lake, the council’s electoral services manager, highlighted in September the need to revisit outdated parish boundaries. He noted difficulties in canvassing caused by unclear boundaries—such as the line running from 57 to 64 Churchfield Drive, including Venus Cottage and Step A Side on Ansford Road—where parishes intersect irregularly, even splitting some properties.
Residents have until December 8 to participate in the consultation via www.somersetcouncil.citizenspace.com/democratic-services/community-governance-review-ansford-and-castle-car/.
Formal proposals will return to the constitution and governance committee in February 2026, followed by another public consultation in March and April. The finalized plan will be presented to the full council for approval later in 2026, aiming for implementation before the local elections in May 2027.
These elections will be the first conducted under revised Somerset Council division boundaries, with the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) expected to publish their final recommendations on December 2.