CONCERNS about the effect of potential new homes on Saltford have been aired at a public meeting in the village.
The event at the Saltford Hall on October 4 was led by Duncan Hounsell, Lib Dem ward councillor for Saltford on Bath & North East Somerset Council. Guest speaker was Louise Morris, head of the B&NES planning department.
The number of new homes envisaged in B&NES over the next two decades has soared in response to revised housing targets from the Government.
Under the revised B&NES Local Plan proposals, the number of new homes on potential sites in Saltford has risen from 1,300 to 1,650.
In west Saltford, two development options are being considered: one to the south of the A4 corridor (650 to 850 homes) and one to the north (300 to 350 homes). The northern option did not appear in the 2024 Local Plan Options Document. Additionally, 350 to 450 homes are identified for south Saltford.
Saltford Parish strongly objected the previous proposals for 1,300 homes in the previous consultation last year.
In response to the revised proposals, it states: “Resident input really matters – now is the chance to help shape the future of Saltford as part of how Bath & North East Somerset grows and develops until 2043.”
Saltford Environment Group, a community organisation that aims to protect and enhance the village’s natural environment, said of the new B&NES housing target: “This puts Saltford at much higher risk of having to accept new housing developments despite already absorbing 114% growth since the early 1950s and the risk of losing our rural village status.
“With a third new housing development option for Saltford in the latest consultation by BaNES, we are now facing a new potential total of up to 1,650 new houses and a new school arriving in a large area of our precious green belt.
“With pressure from central government for local planning authorities like BaNES to deliver more new homes faster, it seems inevitable that Saltford will get some level of new housing development.”
SEG added: “Moving forward, it seems that damage limitation has to be Saltford’s priority whilst simultaneously making a strong case against damage to our community’s well-being.”
The public consultation on the B&NES Local Plan Options Document runs until 5pm on Friday November 14.
People can submit their comments online at https://bathnesplaces.co.uk/localplan.
They can submit them in writing to Planning Policy, Lewis House, Manvers Street, Bath BA1 1JG. If submitting by post, please clearly state which site or policy option your comments relate to.
Paper copies of the options document and executive summary are also being made available at Keynsham and Saltford libraries.
If you need support or have questions about the consultation, you can email B&NES Council at local_plan@bathnes.gov.uk. This email address cannot be used for consultation responses.
Saltford residents air concerns over homes threat
