B&NES Draft Local Plan Consultation: What it means for Saltford and how to have your say

Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) Council has launched its Draft Local Plan Regulation 19 consultation, giving residents, businesses and community groups the opportunity to comment on proposals that will help shape development across the district until 2043.

Following consultation, the plan is expected to be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination before it can be adopted.

For Saltford residents, the Draft Local Plan proposes significant change, including around 1,290 new dwellings, new community facilities, education provision, transport improvements and green infrastructure.

This article is intended to help Saltford’s residents understand the proposals affecting the village and how to participate in the consultation process.

Saltford Parish Council will publish its resolved response to the Draft Local Plan consultation on this page following its 6 October 2026 meeting.

To view the consultation questions, visit ‘Submit a representation‘ or scroll to the end of this article for a copy (excluding monitoring questions).

Whether you support, oppose or wish to amend the proposals, residents are encouraged to read the relevant documents and submit their views before the consultation closes on 30 October 2026.

Key facts at a glance

  • 🔹 Consultation opened: 18 September 2026
  • 🔹 Consultation closes: 30 October 2026
  • 🔹 This is the final public consultation before examination by a Planning Inspector
  • 🔹 Approximately 1,290 new dwellings proposed in Saltford
  • 🔹 West Saltford allocation: approximately 960 dwellings
  • 🔹 South Saltford allocation: approximately 330 dwellings
  • 🔹 Proposed new dwellings are equivalent to around 75% of Saltford’s existing housing stock (based on 1,716 households recorded in the ONS 2021 Census)
  • 🔹 Saltford Parish Council will consider its response at its 6 October 2026 meeting
  • 🔹 Residents are encouraged to submit their own responses directly to B&NES Council
  • 🔹 Participating with B&NES Council’s consultation process is the only way to guarantee your views will be seen by the Planning Authority (B&NES Council)

What is the Draft Local Plan?

The Local Plan is the document that guides where future development should take place and how it should be delivered. It sets out proposals for housing, employment, transport, education, healthcare, green spaces and environmental protection across Bath & North East Somerset.

Within the published B&NES Council Draft Local Plan plan, Saltford has been identified by B&NES Council as part of the ‘Bristol to Bath Corridor’, which is viewed by B&NES Council as a strategic growth area stretching between Bath and Bristol that includes Keynsham, Saltford, Hicks Gate and Whitchurch Village.

B&NES Council describes the Bristol to Bath Corridor as a key strategic location for delivering sustainable growth while strengthening economic and transport links between Bath and Bristol.

Why is this consultation different?

This consultation is different from previous stages of the Local Plan process. There have been two previous ‘options’ consultations. Earlier consultations asked residents, businesses and organisations what ‘options’ should be considered and helped shape the Draft Local Plan.

Saltford Parish Council responded to both consultations, in March 2024 and November 2025. View the Timeline on the ‘Protecting Saltford’s Green Belt‘ page for more information. A link to SPC’s responses to both consultations can be found below.

The current Draft Local Plan Regulation 19 consultation asks people to review B&NES Council’s completed Draft Local Plan and comment on whether it is legally compliant and “sound” before it is independently examined by a Government-appointed Planning Inspector.

Every response received will be submitted alongside the Draft Local Plan as part of the examination process.

This represents the final public consultation stage before the Draft Local Plan is submitted for independent examination, currently expected in 2027.

The scale of change proposed for Saltford

The scale of development proposed for Saltford is significant.

The Draft Local Plan allocates land for approximately 1,290 new dwellings.

For context, Saltford had 1,716 households recorded in the 2021 Census. The proposed 1,290 new dwellings are therefore equivalent to around 75% of the village’s existing housing stock

Residents may therefore wish to consider carefully both the opportunities and challenges associated with development of this scale when preparing their consultation responses.

What is proposed for Saltford?

B&NES Council has stated that sites have been selected through a comprehensive assessment process that considered technical evidence, environmental and sustainability impacts, infrastructure capacity, deliverability and feedback received during previous consultation stages.

Saltford is identified as a strategic location because of its position on the A4 corridor between Bath and Bristol and its existing public transport connections.

The Draft Local Plan proposes around 1,290 new dwellings in Saltford across two major allocations, West Saltford (either side of the A4) and South Saltford:

West Saltford – Policy 3.7

West Saltford (Policy 3.7 in the Draft Local Plan) is proposed to deliver around 960 dwellings.

For detailed information, view Chapter 3 – Bath to Bristol Corridor from p.73 for ‘Saltford Village’ and specifically for ‘West Saltford – Policy 3.7’ read from p.78. (For context, it may also be helpful to view allocations in Keynsham, included in the same document.)

The proposal includes:

  • ▪️ Around 960 dwellings.
  • ▪️ 40% affordable housing.
  • ▪️ A new local centre.
  • ▪️ Community facilities.
  • ▪️ Healthcare provision.
  • ▪️ A new primary school.
  • ▪️ New walking and cycling routes.
  • ▪️ Public transport improvements.
  • ▪️ Significant green infrastructure and public open space.
Figure 3.11 Concept plan for West Saltford, taken from the Draft Local Plan consultation

Figure 3.11 Concept plan for West Saltford, taken from the Draft Local Plan consultation (p.78 of Chapter 3 – Bath to Bristol Corridor at https://haveyoursay.bathnes.gov.uk/localplan/documents/Chapter3.pdf).

Alternatively view: Interactive Map (B&NES Draft Local Plan)

South Saltford – Policy 3.8

South Saltford (Policy 3.8 in the Draft Local Plan) is proposed to deliver around 330 dwellings.

For detailed information, view Chapter 3 – Bath to Bristol Corridor from p.73 for ‘Saltford Village’ and specifically for ‘South Saltford – Policy 3.8’ read from p.88. (For context, it may also be helpful to view allocations in Keynsham, included in the same document.)

The proposal includes:

  • ▪️ Around 330 dwellings.
  • ▪️ 40% affordable housing.
  • ▪️ Contributions towards education and healthcare provision.
  • ▪️ New walking and cycling connections.
  • ▪️ A new country park area.
  • ▪️ Strategic green infrastructure and public open space.
Figure 3.12 Concept plan for South Saltford, taken from the Draft Local Plan consultation

Figure 3.12 Concept plan for South Saltford, taken from the Draft Local Plan consultation (p.88 of Chapter 3 – Bath to Bristol Corridor at https://haveyoursay.bathnes.gov.uk/localplan/documents/Chapter3.pdf).

Alternatively view: Interactive Map (B&NES Draft Local Plan)

Useful Links

For information in hard copy, a full copy of the Draft Local Plan for consultation is available at Saltford Library. Please ask a Library Volunteer for access (white ring-binder).

Map of Saltford with allocations show, as taken from B&NES Council's Draft Local Plan consultation interactive map

Map of Saltford with allocations shown in orange, including nearby allocations in Keynsham, as taken from B&NES Council’s Draft Local Plan consultation interactive map as linked above (Interactive Map (B&NES Draft Local Plan)

Understanding the Regulation 19 consultation

The current Draft Local Plan consultation is a Regulation 19 consultation, referring to Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

The purpose of the consultation is to help determine whether B&NES Council’s Draft Local Plan:

  • ▪️ Complies with the relevant legal requirements; and
  • ▪️ Is “sound” in planning terms.

The feedback received by B&NES Council will be considered by B&NES Council, and will form part of the evidence submitted to the Planning Inspector for independent examination.

What does ‘sound’ mean?

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that Local Plans should be:

Positively Prepared
Providing a strategy that seeks to meet the area’s identified development needs and takes account of cooperation with neighbouring authorities.

Justified
Based on proportionate evidence and representing an appropriate strategy when compared with reasonable alternatives.

Effective
Deliverable over the plan period and supported by effective joint working on strategic matters.

Consistent with National Policy
Supporting sustainable development and complying with national planning policy.

What does ‘legally compliant’ mean?

B&NES Council has stated that a Local Plan must meet the legal requirements for plan preparation. This includes:

  • ▪️ Following the council’s Local Development Scheme (LDS).
  • ▪️ Meeting the requirements of the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI).
  • ▪️ Being supported by a Sustainability Appraisal (SA).
  • ▪️ Complying with planning legislation and regulations.
  • ▪️ Demonstrating effective engagement with neighbouring authorities and relevant bodies.

How can residents respond?

B&NES Council asks that representations are submitted through their online consultation portal wherever possible. A copy of the consultation questions can be viewed below (scroll to end of article). Regulation 19 representations should focus on whether the plan is legally compliant and sound. This will help ensure comments are relevant to the independent examination of the plan.

Details on how to submit a representation can be found on the drop down tab (titled ‘how to submit a representation) at https://haveyoursay.bathnes.gov.uk/localplan/.

Individual responses matter – every representation submitted forms part of the evidence considered during the independent examination. Individual representations are considered separately and may raise issues, evidence or local knowledge that would not otherwise be available to the Planning Inspector. Residents are therefore encouraged to submit their own responses, even if they agree with the position ultimately adopted by Saltford Parish Council or another organisation.

Regulation 19 representation forms can also be submitted by email (see below) or post.

For assistance with the consultation process, residents can contact B&NES Planning Policy:

▪️ Telephone: 01225 394041

▪️ Email: planning_policy@bathnes.gov.uk

It is key that residents respond directly to B&NES Council via the consultation options for submitting a response – whichever method is chosen – to ensure their views reach the planning authority.

All representations must be received to B&NES Council before the consultation closes in order to be considered.

What can be included in a response?

B&NES Council’s advice on ‘How to submit a representation’ (as linked above) states that if you are seeking changes to the Draft Local Plan, to explain clearly which part of the plan you are commenting on (e.g. West Saltford is Policy 37, South Saltford is Policy 38), why you believe it is legally non-compliant or unsound, and what changes you would like to see made. Wherever possible, support your comments with evidence.

You will need to state what policy or paragraph any comments relate to. This information for Saltford can be found in Chapter 3 – Bath to Bristol Corridor. For policy and paragraph numbers, see p.73 for ‘Saltford Village’, for ‘West Saltford – Policy 3.7’ read from p.78, and ‘South Saltford – Policy 3.8 read from p.88.

You should include all the information you wish to be considered as part of your representation, as there may not be another opportunity to submit further evidence unless invited to do so by the Planning Inspector during the examination process.

Responses are likely to be most effective when they focus on planning matters. According to B&NES Council your representation should:

  • ▪️ State which policy, site allocation or section of the plan is being commented on. (Policy 3.7 is West Saltford; Policy 3.8 is South Saltford)
  • ▪️ Explain why you consider it is legally non-compliant or unsound.
  • ▪️ Provide supporting evidence where possible.
  • ▪️ Clearly state any changes you would like to see made.

Those who wish to participate in examination hearing sessions can indicate this in their consultation response and explain why they consider attendance necessary. Written and oral representations carry the same weight during the examination process.

Two PDF files can also be uploaded as supporting evidence via the online consultation page.

Saltford Parish Council response – 6 October meeting

SPC will resolve its response to the public consultation at its Tuesday 6 October meeting, residents are welcome to attend. The Council meeting will start at 7:15pm, in the Avon Room at Saltford Hall.

Meeting information will be made available on our ‘Meetings – Agendas and Minutes‘ page and noticeboard in advance. Residents are welcome to attend, and pending time, can address the Parish Council during ‘Public Time’. Public Engagement Guidelines are available on the page linked above.

Saltford Parish Council will publish a copy of its response to the consultation on its website under ‘News’ soon after the meeting.

Saltford Parish Council’s response will represent the council’s collective view, as resolved at its October 2026 meeting. Residents are encouraged to submit their own representations separately, regardless of whether they agree with the Parish Council’s eventual position.

Previous Saltford Parish Council ‘options’ responses

Local Plan Reset Consultation (December 2024-February 2025): SPC resolved its response to the first B&NES Local Plan Options Consultation at its March 2024 meeting, including strongly objecting to proposals to build 1,300 residences on Saltford’s Green Belt at ‘West Saltford’ (500 houses + primary school) and ‘South Saltford’ (800 houses + primary school). SPC’s response included robust comments in reference to proposals, and included comments relating to, and seeking changes to, the landscape setting of Saltford. A summary can be found in SPC’s March 2024 minutes under item 8.f(PDF).

Local Plan Reset Options Consultation (Regulation 18) (October-November 2025): Saltford Parish Council approved its formal response to the second B&NES Local Plan Options Consultation at its 4 November 2025 meeting. View SPC’s article: B&NES Local Plan Options Consultation 2025: SPC objects to proposed ‘options’ & Have your say on the future of Saltford. Saltford Parish Council resolved to object to the three site options proposed for Saltford, at ‘South Saltford’, ‘West Saltford – north of the A4’ and ‘West Saltford – South of the A4’. SPC demonstrated in its response why development at these options sites on the village’s Green Belt would lead to overdevelopment of a rural village, increase traffic congestion, and result in the loss of valued green spaces and recreational areas.

The feedback from these stages informed B&NES Council’s preparation of the Draft Local Plan (Regulation 19), which is now subject to public consultation.

Further information: The Bristol to Bath Corridor Strategy

The Draft Local Plan identifies several objectives for the Bristol to Bath Corridor, including:

  • ▪️ Delivering new dwellings, including affordable housing, in locations with good access to sustainable transport.
  • ▪️ Improving connections between Bath and Bristol.
  • ▪️ Enhancing public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure.
  • ▪️ Providing new community facilities, local centres and employment opportunities.
  • ▪️ Delivering new education and healthcare infrastructure.
  • ▪️ Protecting landscape character, heritage assets and biodiversity.
  • ▪️ Creating new green infrastructure and accessible open spaces.
  • ▪️ Maintaining separation between settlements, particularly between Keynsham and Saltford, to prevent coalescence and protect community identity.

The strategy is closely linked to the West of England Combined Authority’s (WECA’s) “Future Parklands” vision, which seeks to create a network of communities connected by sustainable transport and surrounded by accessible green spaces and nature-rich landscapes.

Further information: Green Belt, landscape and settlement separation

Both West Saltford and South Saltford are currently located within Saltford’s Green Belt. B&NES Council states that “exceptional circumstances” exist to justify releasing this land in the village for development.

B&NES Council has stated that meeting housing and employment needs requires some Green Belt releases. National policy states that Green Belt boundaries should only be altered where exceptional circumstances are fully evidenced and justified through a Local Plan. In preparing the Draft Local Plan, B&NES Council states that it has demonstrated exceptional circumstances based on the need to meet development requirements, the lack of suitable non-Green Belt alternatives, and the ability to deliver sustainable, infrastructure-led growth in appropriate locations.

B&NES Council has stated that its plan “seeks to avoid harm wherever possible and to protect the district’s Green Belt, natural environment and designated heritage assets. Where changes to Green Belt boundaries are proposed, these are carefully assessed and justified through evidence, alongside policies to mitigate impacts and enhance environmental quality. Site allocations include requirements relating to heritage impact, in order to minimise any harm to assets”.

B&NES Council’s Draft Local Plan also repeatedly emphasises the importance of maintaining a meaningful green gap between Saltford and Keynsham. B&NES Council states that development proposals must strengthen and enhance the remaining green infrastructure between the two settlements.

B&NES Council views that the Draft Local Plan recognises the importance of the nearby Cotswolds National Landscape and proposes extensive woodland planting, green infrastructure, biodiversity enhancements and country parks to mitigate the visual impact of development and support nature recovery.

Further information: Transport and Infrastructure

The Draft Local Plan links growth in Saltford with significant infrastructure investment across the wider corridor.

Proposals include:

  • ▪️ Improved walking, cycling and wheeling routes.
  • ▪️ Enhanced bus services along the A4 corridor.
  • ▪️ New travel hubs.
  • ▪️ Healthcare investment.
  • ▪️ Expansion of secondary school capacity.
  • ▪️ New primary schools.
  • ▪️ Delivery of the North Keynsham Strategic Access Link Road.

The plan also notes ongoing feasibility work into the possible reopening of a Saltford railway station. However, the station is not proposed through the Local Plan itself and is not required to facilitate development.

What documents should I read?

You do not need to read the entire Draft Local Plan to submit a response. However, residents with an interest in Saltford may find the following documents particularly useful:

All documents listed above and many more are available through the B&NES Draft Local Plan consultation website.

What happens after the consultation?

Following the consultation, all representations will be reviewed by B&NES Council and subject to a B&NES Cabinet and Council decision in December will be submitted alongside the Draft Local Plan and supporting documents for independent examination.

A planning inspector appointed by the Government will then assess whether the plan is legally compliant and sound before it can be adopted.

The Local Plan is ultimately adopted by Bath & North East Somerset Council, but only after it has been independently examined and found sound by a planning inspector appointed by the Government.

The following outlines next steps:

  1. ▪️ Consultation closes on 30 October 2026.
  2. ▪️ B&NES Council reviews representations received.
  3. ▪️ The Draft Local Plan is submitted to the Secretary of State and Planning Inspectorate for independent examination.
  4. ▪️ A Planning Inspector considers whether the plan is legally compliant and sound.
  5. ▪️ Public hearing sessions are held.
  6. ▪️ The Inspector may recommend modifications.
  7. ▪️ B&NES Council then decides whether to adopt the Local Plan.

To view a timeline for the Emerging Local Plan, visit B&NES Councils webpage at https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/emerging-local-plan-development-timeline or the Draft Local Plan consultation page version at https://haveyoursay.bathnes.gov.uk/localplan/index.php?contentid=24

Find out More at the Keynsham Area Forum – 24 September, 6:30pm (The Space, Keynsham)

To find out more, ask questions, and hear directly from B&NES’s Deputy Head of Planning Policy, come along to the Keynsham Area Forum:

📅 Thursday 24 September 2026

🕡 6:30pm start

📍 The Community Space (above Keynsham Library), 5 Temple Street, Keynsham, BS31 1HA

The agenda for the next Keynsham Area Forum is copied below.

This is an opportunity to hear an overview of the Draft Local Plan from the Deputy Head of Planning Policy at B&NES Council, as well as learn how to submit comments, understand the remaining stages of the process, and ask clarification questions about the approach and supporting evidence.

Please note that comments on the Draft Local Plan itself cannot be taken into consideration at the forum. B&NES Council has stated these must be submitted through the formal consultation process

AGENDA: KEYNSHAM AREA FORUM 24 SEPTEMBER

1. Welcome and apologies (5 mins)

Welcome from Cllr Alan Hale (Chair) and Adrian Inker (Vice Chair).

2. Local Plan Briefing (55 mins)

The Deputy Head of Planning Policy, B&NES Council, will attend the meeting to provide a briefing on the Draft Local Plan. The presentation will outline the key proposals within the Draft Local Plan, explain how organisations and individuals can submit their views, and set out the next steps in the process.

Please note that any comments made during this briefing session will not be considered as formal representations and will not influence the Local Plan. To have comments formally considered, organisations and individuals must participate in the official consultation.

There will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions following the presentation.

3. Date of next meeting

The next meeting is currently scheduled for 23 November 2026 at 6:30pm. Forum members are asked to decide whether they would prefer the meeting to be held online or in person.

4. Closing Summary

Cllr Alan Hale (Chair) will close the meeting.

B&NES Council Draft Local Plan Consultation questions

The following has been taken from B&NES Council’s Draft Local Plan ‘Submit a representation’ page at https://haveyoursay.bathnes.gov.uk/localplan/index.php?contentid=8 (excluding monitoring questions) as follows:

Part A

1. Respondent details*

2. Agent’s details (if submitting on behalf of another party)

Part B

3. To which part of the Local Plan does this representation relate?

You are permitted to submit multiple representations on different parts of the Local Plan by using this form. Please reference only one paragraph, policy or site per representation. Please submit a separate representation for each policy, paragraph or site that you wish to make representations on.

4.1. Do you consider the Local Plan is legally compliant?*

4.2. Do you consider the Local Plan is sound?*

5. Please give details of why you consider the Local Plan is not legally compliant or is unsound. Please be as precise as possible.*

If you wish to support the legal compliance or soundness of the Local Plan please also use this box to set out your comments.

6. Please set out the modification(s) you consider necessary to make the Local Plan legally compliant and sound, in respect of any legal compliance or soundness matters you have identified at 5 above.*

You will need to say why each modification will make the Local Plan legally compliant or sound. It will be helpful if you are able to put forward your suggested revised wording of any policy or text. Please be as precise as possible.

If you wish to upload supporting evidence, you can do so at the end of this form.

Please note: In your representation you should provide succinctly all the evidence and supporting information necessary to support your representation and your suggested modification(s). You should not assume that you will have a further opportunity to make submissions.

After this stage, further submissions may only be made if invited by the Inspector, based on the matters and issues he or she identifies for examination.

7. If your representation is seeking a modification to the plan, do you consider it necessary to participate in examination hearing session(s)?

Please note that while this will provide an initial indication of your wish to participate in hearing session(s), you may be asked at a later point to confirm your request to participate.

8. If you wish to participate in the hearing session(s), please outline why you consider this to be necessary:

Please note: The Inspector will determine the most appropriate procedure to adopt to hear those who have indicated that they wish to participate in hearing session(s). You may be asked to confirm your wish to participate when the Inspector has identified the matters and issues for examination

Declaration

The information provided is correct and I understand representations will be submitted as part of the Local Plan examination process and may be made publicly available.*