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Saltford Environment Group
  towards a sustainable future for our village

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LATEST NEWS :-

 

Local Election Results for Saltford Ward


There's no Grey Belt in Saltford, says SPC


SEG asks Local Election candidates 2 key questions (updated)


Revised timetable for BaNES Local Plan


Big Garden Birdwatch 24 - 26 Jan


More news in our news archive >>




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January 2025

At the Local Election in Saltford held on 16th January to fill the Saltford Ward Councillor vacancy on BaNES Council, the voter turnout was 40.2% (in the May 2023 local election for the Saltford Ward, the turnout was 44.61%).

Chris Warren, the Independent candidate and one of the only two election candidates who lived in the ward, was elected to represent the Saltford Ward, a role to be fulfilled together with the existing Ward Councillor, Cllr Duncan Hounsell (Lib Dems).

The votes cast were as follows:-

Elected - WARREN, Christopher John (Independent) 587

2nd - PIROOZ, Hossein (Liberal Democrats) 583

3rd - BUSBY, Andrew David (Conservative Party) 375

4th - CONDICK, Daniel Patrick (Reform UK) 205

5th - THORNTON, Luanne (Green Party) 159

6th - GIDDINS, Jane Emma (Labour Party) 60

Congratulations to Chris Warren and thank you to the previous Ward Councillor, Alison Streatfield-James, for her public service for Saltford on BaNES Council.

SEG looks forward to working with Councillor Chris Warren on the issues that really matter to Saltford and its local environment in a spirit of co-operation, partnership and trust.

SEG asked the election candidates two important questions during the pre-election period concerning (i) protecting the Green Belt from development, and (ii) resisting the ill-conceived proposals from WECA to put bus lane(s) on the Keynsham bypass (A4). Their responses as we reported are posted here.

NOTE: The Saltford Ward covers a large area of NE Somerset. Including the village of Saltford itself, it also covers Burnett, Chewton Keynsham, Compton Dando, Corston, Newton St Loe, and Queen Charlton.

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There's no Grey Belt in Saltford, says SPC

January 2025

None of Saltford's Green Belt land meets the Government's new National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024) definition of "Grey Belt" according to Saltford Parish Council at its first meeting of 2025 on 7th January. That resolution was based on an assessment of Saltford's Green Belt by SPC's Planning Policy Working Group. SEG welcomes and agrees with that assessment.

NOTE: Grey Belt is described in the NPPF as land in the Green Belt that could be suitable for new housing developments and is defined as comprising previously developed land and/or any other land that, in either case, does not strongly contribute to any of 3 specific Green Belt purposes, namely (a), (b), or (d) - i.e. (a) to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas, (b) to prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another, and (d) to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns.

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SEG asks Local Election candidates 2 key questions

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Last updated 7 January 2025

On behalf of Saltford Environment Group's 560+ members, SEG's Chairman has written an open letter to the 6 candidates standing for election to fill the Saltford Ward Councillor vacancy in the 16th January local election.

The two most important issues for Saltford's new Ward Councillor during and after 2025 will be the threat of development on Saltford's Green Belt in the next (draft) Local Plan, and traffic congestion in Saltford and Keynsham that would become considerably worse at peak times if WECA implements its proposals for a bus lane on the Keynsham bypass.

The letter asks the candidates two key questions, asking the candidates that if they are elected on 16th January to serve Saltford as a Saltford Ward Councillor, will they:

   (1) support the local community and actively speak out in favour of protecting Saltford's Green Belt and resist any proposals in the draft Local Plan from BaNES to include developments on that land? YES/NO, and

   (2) actively support the local community and speak out and lobby or campaign against any proposals from WECA or BaNES Council to put bus lane(s) on the Keynsham bypass (A4)? YES/NO.

SEG is publishing here the YES/NO responses from the candidates when they are received. These are as follows for questions 1 and 2 :-

 BUSBY, Andrew David (Conservative Party) - Yes and YES;
 CONDICK, Daniel Patrick (Reform UK) - Yes and YES;
 GIDDINS, Jane Emma (Labour Party) - Yes and YES;
 PIROOZ, Hossein (Liberal Democrats) - Yes and YES;
 THORNTON, Luanne (Green Party) - Yes (implied) and
 "The proposed Keynsham bypass bus lane requires further examination...";
 WARREN, Christopher John (Independent) - Yes and YES.

SEG's letter made the point that the evidence overwhelmingly shows that there was no need, requirement or justification for building any of the new affordable (and other) homes that the country needs on Green Belt and farmland in England to help meet the Government's target to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029. SEG provided an explanatory "Supporting Evidence Statement" on new housing; you can download it as a pdf from this link:-

Such development would represent unsustainable development.

SEG also informed the candidates that peak time traffic congestion in Saltford and Keynsham on the Bath Road (A4) and connecting side roads is already a significant problem. Losing road space to bus lanes on the Keynsham bypass as proposed by WECA despite an overwhelming rejection by those residents who will have to live with the consequences of such an ill-conceived plan, will exacerbate this situation further causing more delays and chaos to road vehicle users (including buses when they try to rejoin the main traffic flow) with negative outcomes for the local economy, quality of life for residents, commuters and school children travelling to and from school, whilst further hindering access for emergency vehicles to serious incidents when they arise.

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Revised timetable for BaNES Local Plan

January 2025

Following the launch of the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) by the Government in December 2024, BaNES Council has issued as part of its update to the Local Plan Preparation Schedule a revised timetable to enable consideration of further options for housing developments to meet the higher housing targets set by Government (that are highly questionable and should require no loss of Green Belt or farmland - see SEG's evidence statement 20.12.2024 (pdf)).

The new dates are as follows (subject to change):-

- Public consultation on OPTIONS for strategic housing allocations Aug/Sept 2025.

- Public consultation on draft new Local Plan Mar/Apr 2026.

- Draft Local Plan public examination Jul/Aug 2026.

- Final adoption of new Local Plan Jun/Jul 2027.

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Big Garden Birdwatch 24 - 26 Jan

January 2025

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Big Garden Birdwatch is for everyone, whether you're a complete beginner or a birding expert. Simply count the birds you see in your garden, from your balcony or in your local park for one hour between 26 and 28 January 2023.

  • Choose an hour between 24 and 26 January
  • Only record the birds that land in your patch
  • Record the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time

Across the UK last year, over 600,000 people took part in Big Garden Birdwatch 2024, counting 9.7 million birds! House Sparrows took the top spot, but counts of these chirpy birds are down by 60% compared to the first Birdwatch in 1979. In fact, we've lost 38 million birds from UK skies in the last 60 years. With birds facing so many challenges, it's more important than ever to get involved in the Birdwatch. Every bird you do - or don't - count will give us a valuable insight into how garden birds are faring.

Taking part is easy and this is a great chance to sit back, relax and watch birds and other wildlife for an hour - and to encourage younger members of your family to develop an interest in the local wildlife. By taking part, you'll find out all about the fascinating wildlife that flutters, crawls and hops in your garden, balcony or local area. And with a simple hour of mindful watching, you could have an hour to yourself, too.

Full details including resources and ideas with tips on making your garden an attractive place for birds to visit can be found on the RSPB website from this link:- RSPB Birdwatch.

You can also find more information on social media using the hashtag #BigGardenBirdWatch.

Don't forget that taking a wildlife-friendly gardening approach, including the provision of water, rather than putting out copious amounts of bird food, is much more beneficial to birds and other wildlife as it helps to re-introduce the natural features that are much reduced due to habitat loss and intensive farming methods. It can be a more helpful approach than disrupting or unbalancing different bird populations through heavy food provision that favours some species over others.

Growing native species of plants in your garden, mowing your lawn less, and not removing dead leaves etc. from your flower beds in the autumn and winter that provide winter habitat and a food source for insects, can help sustain a healthier local birdlife.

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Worried about your home heating and energy costs?
Check out our Energy page for energy saving tips, sources of advice, grants and more.

 

For previous news stories from SEG visit our

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Current areas of local volunteer assistance sought by SEG

Whilst our partner organisations such as Saltford Wombles (for tackling litter), Saltford4Nature (for making for Saltford's green public spaces more pollinator friendly) and the Fairtrade Group always welcome volunteer assistance, SEG sometimes has specific roles or posts that need filling. Here are the current vacancies:-

Updated July 2024

Executive Committee: Want to help steer SEG?

SEG is seeking new Executive Committee members to help steer and develop SEG's role in the community 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 and a "can do" attitude 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.

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 philharding27@gmail.com for a no-obligation chat on possible volunteer help.

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   Saltford
   Weather
   Station
 
   Weather Forecast
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   Flood Warnings: Saltford
 
   5-day flood risk
 
   BASC Weather Station
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   River Avon level: Saltford
 
   River webcam (Mead Lane)
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   Storm Overflows Map
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and generously supported by:
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Bird in Hand PH
Tel: 01225 873335


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BASC
Tel: 01225 873472


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The Crown PH
Tel: 01225 872728


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Tel: 0117 944 4949


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"Don't blight the land
that feeds you"


"Think global, act local"


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Contact Us

All general, membership & urgent (e.g. Press) enquiries by email to our Chairman please from whom SEG's postal address, if required, can be obtained on authenticated* request *(to avoid junk mailing etc.).

HOW TO JOIN SEG: If you live, work or have a particular interest in Saltford & wish to join our email membership list please send an email to our Chairman. Please include your name, address & contact telephone number in your email application. NOTE: We provide information about membership including our simple code of conduct for members and personal data protection by SEG on our "About Us page".

CONTACTS:

Chairman: Phil Harding
philharding27@gmail.com (Tel: 07814--720763)

Website Editor is Phil Harding but see website editorial/contact info. below BEFORE contacting SEG about this website

Secretary: Vacant post

Treasurer: Andrew Stainer
andrew.stainer@outlook.com

SEG Green Belt Campaign: Contact our Chairman (contact details above)

Saltford Station Campaign: Chris Warren
cherokee1883@live.com

Saltford Fairtrade Group:
saltfordfairtrade@hotmail.co.uk

History of Saltford
Project Curators: Phil Harding & Andrew Stainer (contact details above).

Saltford Wombles is independent of SEG but contact details can be found on our Less Waste page.

Saltford4Nature community gardening group is sub-group of SEG; contact details can be found on our Gardening page.


Cookies and Privacy Policy Statement

SEG respects the privacy of visitors to our website. We do not use cookies to collect personal or other data about visitors to our website; the only data we collect via our ISP's hosting service, and without the use of cookies, is the number of visits to each of our web pages but not who the individual visitors are.


*EDITORIAL POLICY including SEO, web design and marketing for www.saltfordenvironmentgroup.org.uk

As a general rule our editorial content is sourced locally in Saltford and NE Somerset or from reputable non-commercial organisations based in the UK.

Will Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), website design, "content providers" and other similar companies please note that this website has all the SEO ranking, social media links, and smartphone compatibility that it requires to meet its specific objectives and enquiry emails on this topic including link requests will not receive a reply to save your time and ours.

SEG is not a commercial enterprise therefore companies that produce bespoke marketing materials or sponsored editorial content should also note that marketing emails or requests for placing links to other websites* will not receive a reply as it is our policy not to reply to marketing emails of this nature unless they are from a Saltford-based organisation seeking to assist SEG.

*SEG is not in a position to authenticate the accuracy and legitimacy of third party websites and/or third party editorial content.


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Do you care about the village of Saltford, its environment, wildlife and future as a thriving, more sustainable community? Then join us and also follow us on facebook. See our 'About us' page for how to join (membership is free!).

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SUPPORT FROM BUSINESS:
We welcome support from local businesses to help cover our costs and keep membership free for our members. If your local business would like to support SEG (e.g. a logo + link on this page is very inexpensive), please contact our Chairman (see above for contact details).


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