Boundary changes could be implemented before the next local elections following a failed attempt to merge a growing Somerset town with a neighbouring village.
Castle Cary has expanded rapidly over the last decade, with a significant number of new homes being delivered in both the town and the neighbouring parish of Ansford (which includes Castle Cary railway station).
This level of housing growth has rendered the existing parish boundaries out of date - with part of the boundary going through the centre of a residential property.
Following a petition by local councillor Henry Hobhouse, Somerset Council pursued a governance review in late-2025, but ultimately decided in February 2026 to abandon plans to merge the two parishes due to a lack of public support.
Instead, the council will now subtly change the boundaries between the two parishes to resolve some of the underlying discrepancies and cater for the needs of individual residents.
Three main alterations to the boundaries are being proposed:
- Moving the Crown Pet Foods factory, which currently straddles the two parishes, entirely within the parish of Castle Cary
- Moving 57 to 64 Churchfield Drive into Castle Cary from Ansford
- Putting the whole of Venus Cottage and Step A Side into Castle Cary (with the former currently being split by the boundary line)
Read more
Several local residents objected to the planned changes, with their responses being published anonymously before the council's constitution and governance committee met to discuss the plans in Taunton on May 7.
One resident said: "I feel that the proposal for Ansford and Castle Cary to become one council needs to be explored properly, as this is the best option for the shared community.
"Sufficient time and effort was not given during the first phase of consultation to ensure that residents and other interested parties knew what the consultation was about."
Steven Lake, the council's electoral services manager, told the committee these changes represented "a tidying up procedure, that would take the wishes of local people into account".
Mr Hobhouse added: "I want to thank you for listening to the people who took part in the consultation. We've drawn a line to reflect their views."
The committee voted unanimously to approve the planned changes, which will be formally signed off later in the year.
The next local elections for the Castle Cary division - and the whole of the Somerset Council area - are scheduled to take place on May 1, 2027.
Share