About this page
How this part of the Local Plan Options Document works
These site allocation pages contain the following sections:
Site background
- A broad description of the site, with map if appropriate
- An overview of development proposed or already in progress
- Relevant aspects of planning policy for this site
- The history and status of any planning applications for this site
Options for the new Local Plan
We may suggest one or more possible approaches:
- Keeping existing plans for this site as they are
- Making small changes to our approach, which may allow for changes
- Replacing the approach with something that is substantially different
- Identifying factors or events which may affect this policy in the future
Site analysis
A short summary of our assessment of the site so far
- Opportunities presented by the site
- Constraints (obstacles which might make it a poor site to develop
- Mitigations (Measures that would be needed to reduce any harm development would cause)
- Further information we'd need to make a more in-depth assessment of the suitability of the site
Policy context note
- Where decisions about this site may affect how we approach other sites (or vice versa), we will add a note to explain
Explore this site allocation
Select a section below to read more.
6.62 West Saltford is located on the western edge of the village of Salford. The area is mostly flat arable fields with some hedgerows containing hedgerow trees.
6.63 The site connects directly onto the A4 corridor, providing good access to frequent bus stops providing services into Bath and Bristol.
6.64 A key priority for the Keynsham and Saltford area of the district is to retain a significant green gap between the two settlements. As such, any development located to the west of Saltford will need to be carefully assessed in conjunction with the options at North Keynsham and South East Keynsham, as well as in relation to land already allocated to the east of Keynsham. Development will need to include requirements to strengthen and enhance the remaining green infrastructure between Keynsham and Saltford, seeking to make it more accessible and useable.
6.65 The land parcels are located to the west of Grange Road in Saltford. However, no permeability currently exists between Grange Road and the parcels, due to the continuous configuration of dwelling plots along the road. As such, walking and cycling routes into the village would need to be provided from the south side of the site, connecting to Manor Road, and to the north along the A4, though there may be scope, through discussions with local landowners, to provide a walking route through an existing residential plot, to provide a link into the village.
6.66 The site is located in the Green Belt. The Strategic Green Belt Assessment carried out by WECA to inform the now halted Spatial Development Strategy assesses these land parcels (P85) as making the following contribution to each of the NPPF Green Belt purposes:
- Purpose 1 - checking the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas: Limited / no contribution
- Purpose 2 - preventing the merger of neighbouring towns: Significant contribution
- Purpose 3 – safeguarding the countryside from encroachment: Significant contribution
- Purpose 4 - preserving the setting and special character of historic towns: Limited / no contribution
Figure 30 Context plan - West Saltford
Option A
Figure 30: Option A - West Saltford
Opportunities
- Provision of around 500 homes, a new primary school, and a public green space.
- Opportunity for provision of local food growing.
- Direct access to A4, providing easy access to sustainable travel options.
- Opportunity to strengthen and enhance the remaining green infrastructure gap between Keynsham and Saltford, seeking to make it more accessible and useable. Further evidence is required to understand the extent of possible enhancements.
- Opportunity to explore and fund Manor Road becoming a “Quiet Lane” between Keynsham and Saltford, through introduction of a modal filter, or other traffic restrictions, to ensure traffic flows and speeds are low enough to enable active travel between the two settlements.
Constraints
- Located in the Green Belt.
- Reduces green gap between Saltford and Keynsham, particularly when considered in addition to option at North Keynsham.
- Gas pipeline between Keynsham and Saltford may restrict the types of Green Infrastructure that could be provided between the two settlements.
- Grade II listed Keynsham Manor house located on Manor Road. Impact on setting to be considered, particularly impact of new primary school building.
- No permeability between site and existing housing to the east on Grange Road. Walking and cycling links would be from the north and south only.
Mitigation required
- Strengthening and enhancement of the remaining green infrastructure gap between Keynsham and Saltford required.
Further investigation or evidence
- Green Belt assessment required to assess impact of removing land from Green Belt, including cumulative impact when considering strategic removal across the district, and considering opportunities for enhancements to retained Green Belt land.
- Consideration in conjunction with extent of options at North Keynsham and South East Keynsham, to ensure significant green gap between Keynsham and Saltford remains.
- Exploration of extent of possible green infrastructure enhancements between Keynsham and Saltford required (noting constraint of gas pipeline in this location).
- Discussion with landowners on Grange Road to understand if walking route between plot and village could be created.