SOMERSET’S MPs have clashed over plans to put the county town and one of its nearest villages in two different parliamentary seats under proposed boundary changes.

The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) is currently conducting a second round of public consultation into its proposals to redraw the parliamentary constituency boundaries ahead of the next general election, which must be held by December 2024.

One of the key sticking points from the initial proposals lies in separating Taunton from the nearby village of Norton Fitzwarren, where much of the county town’s future housing growth will be delivered.

Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow has criticised the move, highlighting the close ties between the two settlements and the role of 40 Commando (which is stationed in Norton Fitzwarren) in Taunton’s livelihood.

However, Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has welcomed the separation, stating he would “object very strongly” to any u-turn by the BCE.

Somerset County Gazette:

Under the initial proposals, the existing Taunton Deane constituency will be split, with the new Taunton seat also comprising Wellington and the villages around the northern edge of the Blackdown Hills.

The towns and villages north-west of Taunton – including Bishop’s Lydeard, Norton Fitzwarren and Staplegrove – will become part of the new Tiverton and Minehead constituency, which will straddle the Devon border and include much of the current Bridgwater and West Somerset seat.

Norton Fitzwarren and Staplegrove have been allocated for significant levels of housing in the years ahead, with the Staplegrove urban extension expected to deliver more than 1,600 new homes as Taunton continues to expand.

In her official response to the first round of the BCE consultation, Ms Pow urged the commission to alter this, and to rename the planned new seat to ‘Taunton and Wellington’ to reflect the latter’s character.

She said: “I recognise the importance of ensuring that the number of electors in each seat should be within the margins set by parliament; however, the geographic boundaries of each new seat should recognise the community identity.

“I would urge you to consider including the ward of Norton Fitzwarren and Staplegrove ward in the new seat. It is in the urban area of the town of Taunton and everyone in the ward associates themselves with the town, and not the more rural area to the north and west of the town which are proposed for the new Tiverton and Minehead seat.”

Somerset County Gazette: Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow During The Westminster Hall Debate On Sewage Discharges. CREDIT: Houses of Parliament. Free to use for all BBC wire partners.

In defending her line of reasoning, Ms Pow pointed to the historic link between Taunton and Norton Manor Camp, which was commissioned in 1941 and served as a British base for the US Army from 1942 onwards.

She added: “Norton Manor Camp has been home to 40 Commando Royal Marines since 1983 – it has a long association with Taunton and is very much integral to the town itself.

“Many service personnel, their families and locally employed civilian staff live in Taunton and are much-valued by the community.

“40 Commando are much loved and respected and their presence in Taunton is important to the to the wider community, including many veterans who have settled in the town, and 40 Commando make a valuable contribution to our economy and cultural diversity.

“Wellington is the second-largest town and is complimentary to its larger neighbour Taunton. I would particularly ask, given the significance of Wellington to the area, that the new seat be called ‘Taunton and Wellington’.”

Somerset County Gazette: Proposed Boundaries For The Tiverton And Minehead Constituency. CREDIT: Boundary Commission For England. Free to use for all BBC wire partners.

By contrast, Mr Liddell-Grainger welcomed the proposed split between Taunton and Norton Fitzwarren – and warned against efforts to redraw the map.

He said: “I am concerned to learn that some comments may be submitted objecting to the commission’s inclusion of part of Staplegrove, an area of expanding development that currently falls within Taunton Deane, to become an integral part of Tiverton and Minehead.

“I believe the commission is correct to include Staplegrove and I will object very strongly to any moves to remove it from the review plan.”

The second round of public consultation on the new general election boundaries runs until April 4. For more information – including how to attend the remaining public hearings – visit www.bcereviews.org.uk.