Saltford, a picturesque village nestled between Bath and Bristol, has long been celebrated for its green spaces, close-knit community, and peaceful lifestyle. With just around 4,000 residents, it boasts modest amenities—a small supermarket, a Tesco, a Thai restaurant, a volunteer-run library, a car dealership, and a nursery—that comfortably serve the village’s needs.
Residents cherish Saltford’s scenic riverside walks, golf course, and tennis courts. Dawn, who has lived here for nearly four decades and works as a cleaner at the village’s beautifully preserved medieval church, describes the community as “really friendly” and “really nice.” Yet she also acknowledges a growing concern: “The traffic is getting a little over the top.”
That concern reflects the broader challenge Saltford now faces. The village is on the brink of significant expansion, sparking unease among long-term residents. The current Local Plan review by Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) proposes adding roughly 1,300 new homes on Saltford’s green belt land—500 at West Saltford and 800 at South Saltford. Out of five options to meet housing targets, two emphasize development focused around Saltford.
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For many, this growth feels overwhelming. “Everyone knows there’s a need for housing, but there does come a saturation point,” says Dawn. “There’s a need for it, but there’s also a need to protect green spaces.”
Bryan, a 95-year-old retired councillor, shares this worry. He is particularly concerned about the “grey belt”—a term used by the Labour government to describe poorer quality green belt land—which he fears will be heavily targeted. “I don’t think we need to develop anymore,” he insists, emphasizing the importance of preserving these ‘grey areas.’
Phil Harding, head of the Saltford Environmental Group and a resident since 1991, views the proposed developments as a “knee-jerk” reaction to government housing targets. He worries the plans will damage the green belt, bring in new residents without corresponding local jobs, and worsen already congested roads. Though not opposed to new housing in principle, Phil insists it must be placed wisely: “I’m not against new housing, I’m against putting housing in the wrong place.”
His preferred alternative is to focus growth on Bath, Saltford’s renowned neighbor famous for its Roman Baths, Royal Crescent, and medieval Abbey. However, Bath’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site restricts new building. Phil provocatively suggests: “Bath doesn’t need World Heritage status,” a reflection of how deeply some villagers feel about finding solutions to housing pressures.
Saltford has a strong history of community resilience amidst change. Chris, a volunteer librarian for 35 years, recounts how the community came together nine years ago to save the local library and post office from closure. Despite funding cuts, the library remains open from 9 to 5, Monday to Friday—a testament to local determination.
The village’s ability to adapt is also seen in the transformation of a disused public toilet into a charming coffee house in 2015, symbolizing Saltford’s spirit of reinvention.
While Saltford’s future amid looming expansion remains uncertain, its residents’ strong community bonds and resourcefulness offer hope. Trish, a post office worker, sums it up best: “It’s second to none. It’s the best village ever.”