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Recent News (click on links or scroll down this page) Government trying to make fracking easier without your consent as Brexit diverts attention The big butterfly count (20 July to 12 August) Water bottle filling point & drinking fountain at Bristol Airport Fines for littering and fly-tipping increase in B&NES Saltford Upcycling Craft Group to make "Ecobricks", July 19th Support Saltford Community Library and Post Office when shopping at Waitrose in July #Refill your water bottle at the Jolly Sailor #Refill your water bottle at the Bird in Hand Saltford gets its first #refill station: Refill your water bottle & avoid plastic waste Saltford Wombles: Summer Update Saltford's Green Belt: B&NES Local Plan & HELAA Update 'Our Power' clean energy scheme launched in B&NES Eastover Farm - Open Garden 1st July in aid of Citizens Advice Saltford Wombles: Litter Pick Sunday 24 June You can find more news in our News Archive. Current VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE SOUGHT by SEG >> Government trying to make fracking easier without your consent as Brexit diverts attentionWhilst Brexit consumes much Government and media attention away from other important issues, two Government 14-week consultations that opened on 19 July are attempting to streamline the planning process for fracking and reduce the ability of local communities to influence fracking applications. This disregard for the widespread opposition from the general population to fracking and the destruction of the natural environment brings to mind US photographer and environmentalist Ansel Adams who once said "It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment". The first consultation looks at proposals for whether non-hydraulic exploratory drilling should be treated as 'permitted development' - a planning tool that is normally intended where developments would have no unreasonable local impact. This would mean fracking proposals would be scrutinised less and the views of local communities ignored. The second consultation proposes to designate fracking as a 'Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project'. If that is approved, fracking proposals would go through a national planning process that would severely reduce local control. Again, it would take away local councils' decision-making powers and ability to reflect their communities' wishes - the very communities that have to live with the consequences of such unnecessary damage and upheaval to their local environment. Daniel Carey-Dawes, Senior Infrastructure Campaigner at the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), said: "It's as if the government doesn't realise the scale of the opposition. If they press ahead with these proposals, the protests, outrage and anger from local people across the country will undoubtedly intensify. These proposals would be a complete perversion of the planning system and trample over the rights of local communities - all to fast-track an industry bringing environmental risks that would massively outweigh any suggested 'benefit' to our energy security." Campaign group 38 Degrees have a petition against these proposals at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/don-t-fast-track-fracking. It had over 149,000 signatures on 20th July! 38 Degrees state on their petition web page: "These proposals could see scores of new drilling sites appear over the next couple of years in the English countryside - with the risk of untold environmental, landscape and climate impact." Background information about fracking can be found on our fracking page. July 2018 The big butterfly count (20 July to 12 August)
The big butterfly count is a nationwide survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment. It was launched in 2010 and has rapidly become the world's biggest survey of butterflies. Over 60,000 people took part in 2017, submitting 62,500 counts of butterflies and day-flying moths across the UK. This year's big butterfly count is from 20 July to 12 August and could be something to also get younger members of the family engaged in over the summer holidays. There's even a free smartphone app for the big butterfly count so that you can carry out and submit your count all in one go while out and about watching butterflies. Details at www.bigbutterflycount.org. July 2018 Water bottle filling point & drinking fountain at Bristol AirportMembers will be aware of our wish to help reduce plastic waste and therefore encourage the use of re-fillable rather than single use water bottles for drinking water on the go. A SEG member returning from holiday recently has advised us that when flying from Bristol Airport if you take an empty water bottle through security there is a water bottle filling point in the airport. It is just along the walkway to Gates 7-16 on the left hand side. The information desk can give directions if you forget where it is. Map of location in airport: link to Bristol Airport mezzanine map. July 2018 Fines for littering and fly-tipping increase in B&NESLazy people who drop litter, fly-tip or dump their household rubbish by public bins in Bath and North East Somerset will face tough new fines when caught. From Tuesday July 17th anyone caught dropping litter, including cigarette ends, will be handed a £150 Fixed Penalty Notice. Also anyone caught fly-tipping in the area, or disposing of bags of household or business rubbish next to public bins, will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Fine up to £400 or, on summary conviction, a fine of up to £50,000. Councillor Bob Goodman, Cabinet Member for Development & Neighbourhoods, said: "Our message could not be clearer - we are watching and when we catch you dropping litter you will get a Fixed Penalty Fine of £150. If you are caught fly-tipping then it is £400 and if you fail to pay that then you could end up with a court fine of up to £50,000. It really isn't difficult to find a bin and dispose of your litter and if the bin is full then take your rubbish home and recycle it or put it in the general waste. Bath and North East Somerset is a beautiful place and we want residents and visitors to make sure it isn't spoiled by fly-tipped rubbish and litter." The law changed from 1 April to allow all enforcement agencies to fine up to the maximum which is £150 for littering and £400 for fly-tipping. And the law has also changed so that the registered keeper of a vehicle can now be fined for throwing litter. This means it is the owner's responsibility to make sure they and their passengers don't throw litter out of their vehicle (a major UK problem, not just in Saltford). If a bin is full please report it to B&NES by calling 01225 394041 and quote the bin location number or report it via the web: www.bathnes.gov.uk/reportit. SEG is pleased to see this tougher approach to the lazy, selfish and anti-social behaviour of littering. Quite apart from spoiling the appearance of our village and countryside, we need to prevent plastic entering our natural environment. Over time plastic waste doesn't biodegrade but breaks down into micro-particles and never goes away. These small bits of plastic end up in the guts of animals or wash up on shorelines, where humans are most likely to come into direct contact with the toxins. Plastic is entering our food chain through the sea life that we eat. The breaking down of plastic into toxins that are then ingested by fish and other ocean species sends toxins up the food chain, ending up on your dinner plate. Rather than just moaning about litter and the thoughtless people who drop it, if everyone could remove and put in their own bins the litter that appears on or near the boundary of their homes together we can keep Saltford relatively clean and litter-free. And if you really want to help keep our village clean, consider joining Saltford Wombles for the monthly litter-picks and/or adopt your street to help keep it clear of litter. See our regular Saltford Wombles news items for further details. July 2018 Saltford Upcycling Craft Group to make "Ecobricks", July 19thThis month we will be learning all about Ecobricks! 1. What is an Ecobrick? It is a plastic bottle filled with any non recyclable plastic and used to build with. We can make benches, planters, walls, shelters etc.... take a look at www.ecobricks.org for more information. 2. Why make an Ecobrick? We will be teaming up with a project led by local scout groups to reduce the surface area of waste plastic dramatically - it is incredible how much will fit into a bottle! I personally have halved the waste I put in my wheelie bin - 1 black bag per fortnight now (Tina)! Can you imagine that spread all over the ground or burnt and the amount of CO2 released from it?! We will be containing it and preventing it from degrading and giving off gasses into the biosphere then using it as a building material. Seems odd I know but just go with it and you will be hooked! 3. Please bring a 500ml plastic drink bottle and top - clean and dry and a wooden kitchen spoon (to tamp down bottle filler) plus any of the listed items below, the more the better! IMPORTANT, EVERYTHING MUST BE CLEAN AND DRY This is Upcycling at its best. Look us up on Facebook - Saltford's Make it Magic Group. Everyone is welcome, just turn up, we are looking forward to seeing you. Please feel free to ring Frances Eggbeer on 07789--528834 if you would like some more information. Tina and Frances
ECOBRICK FILLERS Must all be CLEAN and DRY. Don't worry about paper labels. Any stretchy plastic wrapping or bags can be recycled at the supermarket. Biscuit wrappers
July 2018 Support Saltford Community Library and Post Office when shopping at Waitrose in July
Waitrose has kindly allowed Saltford Community Library and Post Office to participate in their 'Community Matters' (Green Token Scheme) during July, and the box is now in place.The library and new Post Office will undoubtedly save considerable car mileage. When shopping at Waitrose in Keynsham during July please give this project your support by taking some green tokens from the check out server and put them in the appropriate box. If they forget to offer you a token simply ask for some. Note: Saltford Library will transfer to community ownership on Monday 16 July and will be run by volunteers. The community library will open to the public on Tuesday 17 July at 10am and will initially be open for the same hours as previously i.e. all day Tuesdays and Thursdays and the morning on Saturdays, but will open each day once the Post Office reopens in the same building. Volunteers will be offering full library services on each day that it is open and the books will continue to be provided and refreshed by B&NES Library Service. B&NES Library Service are also providing training to the volunteers. As well as the library reopening, 2 PCs will be available for community use together with a printer and a free wifi hot spot will be added. Then from Tuesday 31 July the Library will start to stock and sell a wide range of greeting cards and stationary to help fund this community enterprise. Meanwhile, SCA continues to progress plans for the reopening of Post Office. July 2018 #Refill your water bottle at the Jolly Sailor
We are delighted to report that another Saltford venue, the Jolly Sailor pub (Mead Lane BS31 3ER), is now a Refill station for free tap water. Refill is a national, practical tap water campaign that aims to make refilling your bottle as easy, convenient and cheap as possible by introducing refill points on every street. According to the UK Charity WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) in the UK we use a staggering 36 million plastic bottles every day, that's 13 billion a year and enough to go around the world 31 times, but we recycle only 58% of them. There are a rapidly growing number of Refill points across the UK. For more information about the scheme including how to download the app which helps you find the Refill Stations and collect reward points on each refill visit www.refill.org.uk. Saltford Hall was our first Refill station in Saltford - see earlier news item. July 2018 #Refill your water bottle at the Bird in Hand
We are delighted to report that the Bird in Hand pub (High Street, Saltford BS31 3EJ) is now a Refill station for free tap water. Refill is a national, practical tap water campaign that aims to make refilling your bottle as easy, convenient and cheap as possible by introducing refill points on every street. According to the UK Charity WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) in the UK we use a staggering 36 million plastic bottles every day, that's 13 billion a year and enough to go around the world 31 times, but we recycle only 58% of them. There are a rapidly growing number of Refill points across the UK. For more information about the scheme including how to download the app which helps you find the Refill Stations and collect reward points on each refill visit www.refill.org.uk. Saltford Hall was our first Refill station in Saltford - see previous news item. July 2018 Saltford gets its first #refill station: Refill your water bottle & avoid plastic waste
Refill is a national, practical tap water campaign that aims to make refilling your bottle as easy, convenient and cheap as possible by introducing refill points on every street. Saltford Hall in Wedmore Road (BS31 3BY), open during the daytime and on most early evenings, is Saltford's first venue to be registered as a Refill station and promoting the Refill scheme by registering with the Refill app. Anyone can download the Refill app (Google Play or the Apple App Store - via www.refill.org.uk) which helps you find the Refill Stations and collect reward points every time you refill. According to the UK Charity WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) in the UK we use a staggering 36 million plastic bottles every day, that's 13 billion a year and enough to go around the world 31 times, but we recycle only 58% of them. There are a rapidly growing number of Refill points across the UK. For more information about the scheme including how to download the app visit www.refill.org.uk. SEG congratulates Saltford Community Association on registering Saltford Hall as a Refill station and is hoping more venues in Saltford will join the scheme to help us cut down plastic waste arising from single use plastics that is such a blight on our environment and a major threat to wildlife. B&NES Council is supporting the Refill scheme (#RefillBath) and its café at the One Stop shop in Lewis House, in Manvers Street, was the first council venue to be added as a refill station. July 2018 Saltford Wombles: Summer UpdateSunday 22 July Litter Pick combined with Canoe Club River Clean The next litter pick will be combined with the annual Canoe Club River Clean. The specifics of times and meeting places are being worked out but if you are interested in attending please email Jo at saltfordwombles@gmail.com. August: No formal monthly Litter Pick There will not be a formal litter pick this month but please keep up the good work on your streets. Autumn Season Monthly litter picks will resume in September. The monthly litter picks will be on the last Sunday of each month from 2-4 pm. Meeting places will vary depending on the hot spot area but will be posted here on the SEG website beforehand. The monthly pick dates are: 30 Sept; 28 Oct; and 25 Nov. We will announce further details in due course. If anyone would like to know more about joining us, whether to adopt your street or the monthly meets, please contact Jo at the following email address: saltfordwombles@gmail.com. June 2018 Saltford's Green Belt: B&NES Local Plan & HELAA Update
Here we give an update on the forthcoming B&NES Local Plan that could have a significant impact on Saltford's Green Belt. BACKGROUND Through the plan-making process B&NES is required by government to consider all 'reasonable alternatives' in meeting housing needs. The primary purpose of the Local Plan 2016-2036 is to identify and allocate sites to meet the housing and economic development requirements established by the West of England Joint Spatial Plan (JSP). The B&NES Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) review feeds into the Local Plan process. Following the call for sites by B&NES in early 2017, HELAA will identify which of those sites would fit with being allocated for housing according to B&NES Council's assessment. The B&NES website, Housing Land Supply page, lists and maps 9 sites on Saltford's Green Belt that have been submitted by developers/land owners. At this stage Saltford Parish Council (SPC) is preparing its response to B&NES on those 9 sites; SPC will be submitting its site assessment response in July. SEG members will be aware that SPC shares SEG's policy to protect from development the Green Belt surrounding Saltford. It is important to recognise that although 9 sites have been put forward by developers/landowners in response to the HELAA call for sites it does not follow that B&NES Council will accept all, some or any of those as suitable sites for development, but it has to assess them. TIMINGS In autumn 2018 the draft HELAA and the draft Local Plan options document will go public and then in spring/summer 2019 the draft Local Plan is scheduled to go public for consultation. At that stage and following consideration of comments on the options document B&NES Council will set out its preferred strategy/distribution for development and identify sites for proposed allocation. From autumn 2018 respondents (including the general public but developers also) when making comments on the Local Plan options document will be able to refer to the draft HELAA. That is why SPC's prior response to the forthcoming draft HELAA response is an important stage in the process before the draft HELAA is published. SEG RESPONSE This has brought out into the open the clear intention of developers to try and build on Saltford's Green Belt, regardless of the negative implications for the local community and local ecology; it is difficult to think of anywhere more unsuitable and inappropriate for new housing in B&NES. However it is important to recognise that B&NES Council has to be seen by government to transparently test and consult on alternatives - that is the purpose of the Local Plan options document in order to inform the preferred approach in the draft Local Plan. Because the Local Plan sets land allocations for housing until 2036, Saltford as a community needs to make a robust and appropriate response if it is to protect the Green Belt that surrounds our village. SEG takes the sustainable development view that there are no genuine 'exceptional circumstances' that could support a case for building on Saltford's Green Belt when taking account of ecological, environmental, transport, economic, social and employment factors. It is our strong wish that sites in Saltford's Green Belt are not identified for potential development in the draft Local Plan. Our membership survey in February 2018 revealed that of SEG's activities, protection of the Green Belt interested our members the most. We hope therefore that members will understand why responding to consultations etc. on the Local Plan and other lobbying activity that goes on behind the scenes will be a priority for SEG in the coming months. HOW YOU CAN HELP If you want to help SEG defend the Green Belt at this important stage in the local strategic planning process do re-visit our website periodically, watch out for SEG emails to members and also SEG announcements on our Facebook page (follow us there if you are on Facebook). If you live, work or have a stake in Saltford and are not yet a member see our Contact section for how to join. June 2018 'Our Power' clean energy scheme launched in B&NESTwo new energy tariffs were launched in June offering a choice of green and affordable deals by supplier Our Power supported by B&NES Council and Bath & West Community Energy (a not-for-profit community business set up in 2010 to deliver clean local energy, community owned for the common good). The new scheme, called 'Our Power In B&NES', offers locally-generated renewable energy to residents through a collaboration with not-for-profit energy supplier Our Power and local community business Bath & West Community Energy. The 'Our Local Green Energy' tariff will provide 100% renewable electricity as part of a dual fuel offer with gas. Electricity will be locally sourced and community owned wherever possible, using green energy from Bath & North East Somerset and the surrounding area. This will enable residents to buy from local community owned solar energy arrays in B&NES for the first time. The scheme will also include the 'Our Fairer Energy' tariff from Our Power, which is currently one of the cheapest tariffs available on the market for dual fuel pre-payment meter customers. Around 11,000 households in B&NES (14%) pay for energy by pre-payment meter. B&NES Council is endorsing this scheme because it contributes to Council objectives of tackling fuel poverty and supporting renewable energy in the district. Our Power was one of the first not-for-profit energy suppliers in the UK, and was founded by housing associations, community organisations and local authorities with the aim of making energy fairer and greener. The Our Power In B&NES scheme has a long term vision to address a number of B&NES Council priorities including increasing local renewable energy generation, supporting local economic development and tackling fuel poverty. The scheme creates a platform for future innovation to support these objectives and to help the district transition to a low carbon economy with a smart, low carbon electricity infrastructure. Residents from Bath and North East Somerset can sign up at https://our-power.co.uk/bathnes or by calling Our Power on 0808 189 3085. June 2018 Eastover Farm - Open Garden 1st July in aid of Citizens Advice
The 4 acres of rural-gardens including the wildflower meadow and woodland at Eastover Farm (Manor Road, Saltford, BS31 3AF) will be open for you to walk around and enjoy on Sunday 1st July from 1.30pm until 6pm. Entry will be £2 per person with Tea and Cakes available to purchase and onsite parking available. The proceeds will support your local Citizens Advice Charity - last year Citizens Advice BANES supported over 8000 clients, including some 800 in Saltford/Keynsham, to secure income gains from benefits etc. of over £5million and helped them deal with recovering from debt, homelessness, employment, family issues and so much more. Come along for an enjoyable afternoon out and help ensure this vital work continues. The garden has been developed over several years by Ray and Penny Buchanan to be wildlife-friendly and feature mainly trees, flowers and shrubs that are native to this part of Somerset. DIRECTIONS for Eastover Farm: Turn right at the top of Grange Road, Saltford into the lane (Manor Road) and the entrance to Eastover Farm (BS31 3AF) can be found after about 300 yards straight ahead after the first sharp bend. Parking will be available for a limited number of cars in the field behind Eastover Farm (NOT up the driveway which will be for pedestrian access only). June 2018 (first published May 2018) Saltford Wombles: Litter Pick Sunday 24 June
Our next monthly litter pick is on Sunday 24 June, 2.30-4.30pm. The meeting point will be The Bird In Hand car park as the focus for our litter pick will be the riverside paths and The Shallows. If you have litter pickers and gloves please do bring them, but if not we can provide them. We have bags provided by B&NES Council. If you would like to take part, know more about joining or how to adopt your street please contact Jo at the following email address: saltfordwombles@gmail.com. June 2018 Website skills wanted!
Our website is a popular resource for our members and others which means that in addition to keeping it relevant we want to make sure it continues to function as it should. If you live in or near Saltford, care about your local environment and have current knowledge of website design and might be interested in using your IT skills for a bit of IT volunteering to help us behind the scenes please get in touch with our Chairman by email to phil@philharding.net for a no-obligation chat on possible volunteer help. June 2018 21st June is #OurCleanAirDay
21st June is CLEAN AIR DAY when you can pledge to do something to help reduce air pollution. It might be:
You can share your plans on social medie using the #OurCleanAirDay tag and if you can tag B&NES Council with @bathnes as well they will know what is going on in our area. More information about Clean Air Day including ideas, tips and resources at www.cleanairday.org.uk/. June 2018 Saltford Parish Council also objects to premature planning application for another 200 houses between Keynsham and Saltford
We reported in April that on 30th March SEG submitted a strong objection to B&NES Council concerning planning application 18/01509/OUT for 200 houses etc. on Green Belt land safeguarded in the B&NES Core Strategy, i.e. land "safeguarded to meet longer term development needs". At its 5th June meeting Saltford Parish Council also agreed to submit an objection as follows:- "Saltford Parish Council objects to this proposed development and agrees with the fundamentally important objection from the Senior Highways Development Control Engineer at B&NES Council who made it clear that the existing road network in the vicinity of the site has insufficient capacity to accommodate the increase in traffic likely to be generated by the proposed development. Many of the 330+ objections submitted shared that concern and we consider that the existing road infrastructure will struggle to cope with other new housing already planned for East Keynsham and that the local road network will be even more seriously congested by this proposal should it be allowed to proceed." "We also draw to your attention your Senior Highways Development Control Engineer's statement that the proposal is contrary to Policies KE3b (safeguarded land) and ST7 (traffic management proposals) of the B&NES Placemaking Plan, and contrary to paragraph 32 (transport statement/assessment support for significant developments) of the National Planning Policy Framework. As this is Green Belt land "safeguarded to meet longer term development needs" in the B&NES Core Strategy it should only be considered for development after the other developments identified in the Core Strategy have been completed, not before. This would therefore be after infrastructure including transport, education provision and other local services is already in place and found to be coping with existing and new demands placed on it. Additionally only if a genuine need (not demand) for additional new housing remains after the other Core Strategy developments have been completed should any consideration for development of this site be considered." The deadline for commenting was 8 May 2018 but as the Parish Council only meets monthly and was consulted by B&NES too late for the May meeting it was given an extension. The B&NES target decision date is 27th July (was previously 5th July) 2018. June 2018 More and older news stories from SEGOur 'Newsletter' archive page features most of our past and recently published news stories (click on image):-
Current areas of local volunteer assistance sought by SEG
In addition to volunteer assistance with projects such as Saltford Wombles (tackling litter), Fairtrade Group, and our Railway path habitat restoration project we sometimes have specific roles or posts that need filling. Here are the current vacancies:- Website skills wanted!Our website is a popular resource for our members and others which means that in addition to keeping it relevant we want to make sure it continues to function as it should. If you live in or near Saltford, care about your local environment and have current knowledge of website design and might be interested in using your IT skills for a bit of IT volunteering to help us behind the scenes please get in touch with our Chairman by email to phil@philharding.net for a no-obligation chat on possible volunteer help. First published June 2018 Want to get more involved with SEG?
SEG is seeking new Executive Committee members to help steer and develop SEG's future as we address the environmental concerns of our members at the local level. If you think you might like to get involved and join our Executive Committee (enthusiasm is more important than expertise!), please contact our Chairman, Phil Harding, for an informal non-committal chat. The Executive Committee only meets 4 times a year and its working method is more about sharing ideas and getting things done in a friendly and productive atmosphere than being bogged down with time-consuming administration. First published February 2018, updated April 2018 Want to help staff Saltford's Heritage Centre?
Saltford has a fascinating history as SEG's popular history project has proved. We are aiming to start opening our new and popular Heritage Centre (link) at least once a month for residents and visitors in the mornings. This will be from Easter/April to September and the openings (usually 10am to noon) will be advertised on our website and on facebook. We will also be having special openings for Saltford School children and other groups to visit as well as aiming to open jointly with Saltford Brass Mill for history related events (e.g. during Museums Week). One of the centre's two curators will usually be present to oversee everything and if you would like to join our team of volunteer stewards that we can call on to staff the centre during openings and you would be able to manage 2 to 3 hour shifts please contact Phil Harding by email (phil@philharding.net) giving your name, telephone, address and email and state if you would be able to manage weekends, weekdays or either. This stewardship role is for SEG members only. First published December 2017 Contact SEG
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Saltford Heritage Centre's next scheduled public opening is during the B&NES "Heritage Open Days" on Sunday 16th September 2018 from 2.30 - 4.30pm. Want a private viewing? We can also open the Heritage Centre for 1-hour private viewings by small groups on request (see the Heritage Centre web page for details). Special Features: Saltford Wombles (tackling litter)
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