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Saltford Environment Group
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(Click on links or scroll down this page) LATEST NEWS :-
WECA Mayor candidates respond on protecting food security & nature (last updated 7th April) 2025 Big Garden Birdwatch results Mow your lawn less and 'Save A Patch For Nature' Farms vanishing around towns and cities Will our new WECA Mayor protect food security & nature? SPC updates its Saltford station policy Annual Saltford Dawn Chorus Walk, 27th April New housing without compromising food security and nature - SPC public letter to DPM 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 >> WECA Mayor candidates respond on protecting food security & natureMarch/April 2025 (last updated 7th April) We are posting here the answers (up to 60 words was the request by SEG) to our question to the candidates standing in the election on 1st May for WECA Mayor - see previous news story for further information. The question SEG asked was:- "In view of the Saltford Parish Council letter "New housing without compromising food security and nature" and if elected as WECA Mayor, how will you in the decisions you make and the policies you implement and support protect the West of England's Green Belt and farmland from development including making the case to Government Ministers that taking a longer-term stewardship approach to land use planning must be a priority so that negative consequences for food security and nature are not a result of where we build new homes in the West of England?" In order of receipt, the responses received to date are as follows:- Ian Scott (Independent candidate): Steve Smith (Conservative candidate): Helen Godwin (Labour candidate): Oli Henman (Lib Dem candidate): We will post here the answers from the other West of England mayoral candidates, Mary Page (Green Party) and Arron Banks (Reform), as (and if) they arrive. 2025 Big Garden Birdwatch resultsApril 2025
The results for the 2025 Big Garden Birdwatch held on the weekend of 24 - 26 January are now published by the RSPB. The top ten most commonly observed birds across the UK are listed below. All 10 had no change on last year's position with the exception of the Woodpigeon (+1 at 3rd) swapping places with the Starling (-1 at 4th). The list is:- 1. House Sparrow
Top spot goes to the House Sparrow for the 22nd year running despite a drastic decline in the UK over the past 50 years, so much is this decline that they are on the UK Red List for birds. Over a half a million nature lovers took part this year counting 9 million birds(!). More information on the results of the 2025 Birdwatch can be found on the RSPB website. You can also find more information on social media using the hashtag #BigGardenBirdWatch. One way to help garden birds is by encouraging insects. Why not let a patch of your garden grow wild this spring and summer? A full list of the 103 birds that are presently of regular occurrence in Saltford with ID links to the RSPB website for each species can be found on our Wildlife page >> Mow your lawn less and 'Save A Patch For Nature'April 2025
According to Butterfly Conservation, new data from the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) shows that 2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies in the UK and, for the first time, more than half of butterfly species in the UK are now in long-term decline. Butterflies are sounding the alarm for nature and we need to take action now. Research published in 2024 by Butterfly Conservation showed that letting parts of your garden grow wild with long grass can increase butterfly numbers by up to 93% and attract a wider range of species. That's because the butterflies and moths we love, like the Red Admiral, Peacock and Humming-bird Hawk-moth, need long grass all through the year to complete their life cycles. Save A Patch For Nature: There are significant wildlife benefits from mowing your lawn less often. Letting parts of your lawn grow long, saves you time and helps give nature a home. The grasses will set seed, wildflowers will be able to bloom, and the longer stems will create a sheltered microclimate - a mini jungle through which beetles and other small creatures can wander. Check out our "Gardening" page from the link below where we have guidance on different approaches you can take to letting your lawn, or a section of lawn, grow naturally. This might be having an area that either mimics a
Link to our Gardening page and the: mow-less section. Farms vanishing around towns and citiesMarch 2025
A recent report from CPRE (the Countyside Charity) on farming on the urban fringe shows that more than 1,700 farms have disappeared from the edges of towns and cities since 2010. CPRE is calling on the government to recognise the vital role of the countryside around our towns and cities and make good on its commitment to a land use framework and a brownfield-first housebuilding policy. The report reveals that productive agricultural land surrounding urban areas - land that could feed local communities and provide environmental benefits - is rapidly being lost from farming. The loss equates to 56,000 hectares of farmland, an area similar in size to the city of Leeds, and represents a critical loss for both food security and environmental sustainability. While the areas studied in the report represent just 11.3% of UK agricultural land, they produce an outsize proportion of foods including wheat (20.6%), oats (20.6%), barley (20%), potatoes (14.3%) and milk (13.3%). Graeme Willis, agricultural lead at CPRE, said: 'Farms around our towns and cities produce vital quantities of food but are disappearing at an alarming rate. Every hectare of farmland lost is more than just a statistical decline, it's an erosion of our countryside and our fundamental national resilience. 'Farmers are being asked to produce sustainable food, protect biodiversity, improve soil health and combat climate change - all while facing unprecedented economic challenges and pressures from development. Without proper support systems in place, we risk losing not just farms close to towns and cities but doing serious damage to the UK agricultural sector overall. 'The government should urgently join up its policies on land use, food security and agricultural support in a way that recognises the vital role of the countryside around our towns and cities. This means strengthening planning protections for agricultural land and providing the necessary support to farmers to both put food on people's plates and better manage the environment for future generations.' The CPRE report can be found online from this link to the CPRE website >> Will our new WECA Mayor protect food security & nature?March 2025
With elections for a new West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Mayor to be held on 1st May, SEG has written on 10th March to all 5 candidates standing for election with a copy of Saltford Parish Council's evidence-based letter "New housing without compromising food security and nature" (external link to DPM letter on SPC website) and asked them the following question:- "In view of the Saltford Parish Council letter "New housing without compromising food security and nature" and if elected as WECA Mayor, how will you in the decisions you make and the policies you implement and support protect the West of England's Green Belt and farmland from development including making the case to Government Ministers that taking a longer-term stewardship approach to land use planning must be a priority so that negative consequences for food security and nature are not a result of where we build new homes in the West of England?" In its letter to the candidates, SEG said that the group's main theme currently was protection of the Green Belt and farmland. Other themes or main areas of concern are reducing peak time traffic congestion through Saltford, therefore we are strongly opposed to the poorly conceived and recently abandoned proposals to put bus lanes on the Keynsham bypass (A4); and SEG remains in favour of the re-opening of Saltford railway station to make up for the more than doubling in size of Saltford, a rural village, since the 1950s, but the reopened station must not to be a gateway for new housing developments on Saltford's Green Belt. We shall publish on our website the replies to our question when they have been received. SPC updates its Saltford station policyMarch 2025
At the March monthly meeting of Saltford Parish Council on 4th March, in response to the Government's statement on railway stations and new housing developments, SPC resolved its updated policy position on Saltford station. This was as a direct result of the economic growth statement made on 29th January 2025 by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, which included the following policy statement on planning decisions on land around stations:- "New transport infrastructure can also act as a catalyst for new housing. We have already seen the benefits that unlocking untapped land around stations can deliver... new housing and wider commercial opportunities. We will introduce a new approach to planning decisions on land around stations, changing the default answer to yes." SPC's policy statement was as follows:- "Saltford Parish Council remains in favour of reopening Saltford railway station on the existing site, but only on the basis that a new Saltford station would be accompanied with incontestable planning safeguards to ensure that any reopened station in the village would not lead to development on any of Saltford's Green Belt (including that recognised by SPC as an Area of Great Landscape Value). The Parish Council is resolute that Saltford - as a rural village - has already undergone significant housing growth since the 1950s, more than doubling in size, and that a new Saltford Railway Station should be established to serve and support the existing community." Saltford Environment Group considers this as a pragmatic way forward; the village would greatly benefit from a reopened Saltford station to help the village reduce its carbon footprint and provide an alternative travel option to road travel, particularly for commuting to work places in Bristol and Bath as well as providing more flexible travel options for those without a car. It would help reduce the significant growth in peak time traffic congestion through Saltford since the short-sighted decision was made over 50 years ago to close Saltford station when encouraging car use over public transport was seemingly the transport policy of central Government. However, re-opening the station to overcome the transport problems associated with building new houses in the BaNES and Bristol area without taking more account of where houses actually need to be built, should not open the door to yet further losses of the Green Belt and farmland that underpin our food security and nature, as SPC has proven in its 10th February 2025 evidence-based letter to the Deputy Prime Minister "New housing without compromising food security and nature" - external link to DPM letter on SPC website >>. Annual Saltford Dawn Chorus Walk, 27th AprilMarch 2025
The annual Dawn Chorus Walk in Saltford will be held again this year. The Keynsham Branch of the Avon Wildlife Trust will be listening to, and watching, the birds get up after a night's roosting for this year's Dawn Chorus Walk on Sunday 27th April 4.30am - 8.00am, starting at Saltford Shallows car park.
This is a great way to learn how to identify from their songs the many birds that are found in Saltford. Songs of all common species will be pointed out and their identification features clarified. The walk will be along part of the railway path cycle track (and back). Wrap up warm as it can be very cold that early. Binoculars and a bird identification guide will be helpful for once it gets light. Above all you need good ears to be able to pick out the 30+ different species the annual walk normally finds! A flask of your favourite hot beverage is recommended. This event is free but an optional donation to support Avon Wildlife Trust funds will be requested on the day. For further information and to confirm your attendance, contact Dave Sage on mobile 07899--716068 the week before the event. Saltford's Tawny OwlsFebruary 2025
The Tawny Owl is by far Saltford's most common owl following the strong decline of the Little Owl in the past 30 years whereas in the 1970s and 80s the Little Owl was 3 to 4 times more numerous in Saltford than the Tawny Owl. An easy place to observe them around dawn and dusk is from the Rectory Bridge on the railway path (gained by joining the path at the Bird in Hand and turning right towards Bath) as they move between trees in the Shallows and the railway path; even in the winter they are often active well after it has started to get light. In midsummer there is an hour or more of activity either side of darkness. Tawny Owls are non-migratory and highly territorial - hence all the hooting we hear from the males in some parts of Saltford. They pair off from the age of one year and usually stay together in a monogamous relationship for life. An established pair's territory is defended throughout the year and maintained with little, if any, boundary change from year to year. With a retina no more sensitive to light for night vision than ours, it is the asymmetrically placed ears that are key to its hunting prowess giving the Tawny Owl excellent directional hearing. It hunts for a wide range of prey, mainly woodland rodents, but also other mammals up to the size of young rabbits, and birds, earthworms and beetles. Indigestible parts of their prey are regurgitated as pellets and are found in groups under trees used for roosting. The Tawny Owl is currently (February 2025) classified by the UK national scale as at amber risk which indicates that the species is of concern but not as urgent as those on the red list. There is a list of the regularly occurring bird species readily observed in Saltford on our popular wildlife page; if you click on each bird listed you can find an image, details and even its birdsong on the RSPB website. The list is here >> New housing without compromising food security and nature - SPC public letter to DPMFebruary 2025
At its meeting on 4th February 2025, Saltford Parish Council resolved to write an open (public) letter to the Government raising its concerns that the Government's planning policy for building 1.5 million new homes has potential to cause considerable long-term harm to the nation's food security, economy and natural capital. In particular, the harm to food security is likely to have disastrous consequences causing future hardship and food poverty for those on lower incomes. The letter was sent on 10th February and asked the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner that the Government makes an unequivocal policy statement, that overrules any interpretation of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, December 2024) and related planning policies, that "no undeveloped land in the Green Belt and/or farmland during the current Parliament shall be permitted planning permission, including on appeal to the Secretary of State, for building new homes to meet national or local housing targets set by HM Government or Local Planning Authorities" and that existing planning permissions for new housing developments that remain unbuilt (one million...), should be completed or well advanced by 2029, with steps taken by Government, as necessary, to make that happen. Attached to SPC's letter was an evidence-based annex that set out SPC's cause for its concern and "why there is no need or justification for building any new homes, including affordable homes, that the nation needs on the Green Belt and/or farmland; indeed, to destroy that priceless national resource would be unwise and represent irresponsible stewardship of the nation's land and natural capital." You can download a copy of SPC's letter as a pdf from this link:- The letter can also be found on SPC's website from this eternal link >>. SEG fully endorses and supports SPC's letter and will use the letter as important evidence when making representations to Government, Local Government and others for defending the Green Belt and farmland.
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. There's no Grey Belt in Saltford, says SPCJanuary 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. SEG asks Local Election candidates 2 key questionsLast 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;
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. Revised timetable for BaNES Local PlanJanuary 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. Big Garden Birdwatch 24 - 26 JanJanuary 2025
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.
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. Worried about your home heating and energy costs?
For previous news stories from SEG visit our
Current areas of local volunteer assistance sought by SEGWhilst 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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Contact UsAll 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
Website Editor is Phil Harding but see website editorial/contact info. below BEFORE contacting SEG about this website Secretary: Vacant post Treasurer: Andrew Stainer
SEG Green Belt Campaign: Contact our Chairman (contact details above) Saltford Station Campaign: Chris Warren
Saltford Fairtrade Group:
History of Saltford 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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