Saltford, a charming village nestled between Bath and Bristol, is renowned for its green spaces, warm community spirit, and tranquil riverside walks. Home to just 4,000 residents, it offers a handful of essential amenities—a small supermarket, a Tesco, a Thai restaurant, a volunteer-run library, a car dealership, and a nursery—that perfectly suit its size. From golf courses to tennis courts, Saltford residents take pride in their peaceful surroundings.
Dawn, who has lived in Saltford for nearly 40 years and helps care for the village’s beautifully preserved Medieval church, sums it up simply: “It’s really friendly, it’s really nice.” But she admits concerns about rising traffic: “The traffic is getting a little over the top.”
The reason behind this change is Saltford’s proposed expansion. As part of the Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) Local Plan review, the council is considering developing more than 1,300 homes on the surrounding green belt land—500 at West Saltford and 800 at South Saltford. Saltford’s growth is central to two of the five housing targets under review, prompting unease among villagers who cherish the village’s unique character.
READ MORE: Village Near Somerset to Gain 88 New Homes After Approval
READ MORE: Search Underway for Man in Hiking Boots Missing Since Early Sunday
“Everyone knows there’s a need for housing,” acknowledges Dawn, “but there does come a saturation point. There’s a need for it but there’s also a need to protect green spaces.”
Bryan, an ex-councillor aged 95, shares similar views. He worries that much of the new development will encroach on the so-called “grey belt”—a term coined by the government for less attractive green belt areas. “I don’t think we need to develop anymore,” Bryan says, emphasizing his concern for preserving these ‘grey areas.’
Phil Harding, head of the Saltford Environmental Group and a resident since 1991, calls the council’s housing plans a “knee-jerk” reaction to government pressure. He fears the developments will erode green belt land, increase traffic on already congested roads, and bring in residents without sufficient local jobs. “I’m not against new housing,” he insists, “I’m against putting housing in the wrong place.”
Phil suggests the focus should instead shift to nearby Bath, famous for its Royal Crescent, Roman Baths, and Medieval Abbey. Yet, Bath faces its own housing constraints due to its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. In a bold proposal, Phil suggests that Bath should reconsider this status to relieve pressure on Saltford—a controversial idea that underscores villagers’ frustration.
Saltford’s spirit of community resilience, however, remains strong. When faced with potential closures of its library and post office nine years ago, the villagers banded together, forming a community association that successfully saved these vital services. Chris, a volunteer librarian, explains, “Our Community Association got together and worked very hard to set this up.”
Similarly, an old public toilet block was creatively repurposed into a cozy café in 2015, demonstrating the village’s ability to adapt and reinvent.
No matter what the future holds, Saltford’s residents are determined to protect the village they love. Post office worker Trish sums it up perfectly: “It’s second to none. It’s the best village ever.”
How Saltford navigates the challenges of growth and preservation remains to be seen, but its history of community unity offers a hopeful outlook.