6.107 Consultation in 2005 for the Castle Cary and Ansford Community Plan (CanPlan) identified a number of issues for action including better facilities for young people; better traffic flow through the town; the resolution of parking problems (without charging); affordable housing for young families; only small scale appropriate industrial, retail and business development; maintaining the quality of the local environment; and improving the Market House to provide a comfortable multi-use centre for the whole community.

6.108 There is a local aspiration for employment opportunities such as light and high tech industry to increase settlement self-containment, one-bedroom and a range of family housing to address current imbalance in housing type and size, improvements to road and drainage infrastructure (including parking and the alleviation of congestion) and the protection of retail and educational facilities.

6.109 Rail connections are excellent in Ansford/Castle Cary, but road connections much less so. The town remains an important local employment centre in the East of South Somerset but employment land is now scarce and a small supply needs to be maintained and brought forward. The town enjoys a positive retail experience dependent on local niche businesses and attracts trade from a wide area. The town is dependent on local major employers and ongoing diversification of employment and growth opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises are to be encouraged.