Saltaire named among England’s Great Places

Saltaire, the Yorkshire village, has been named in the top three in a list of England’s Great Places. The list was created by the Royal Town Planning Institute.
By Arindam Rej
Published 18th Dec 2015, 18:34 BST
Saltaire United Reform Church and Baildon Moor from the terraces.Saltaire United Reform Church and Baildon Moor from the terraces.
Saltaire United Reform Church and Baildon Moor from the terraces.

More than 11,000 people voted on a shortlist of 10 places, leading to Saltaire finishing above Brindleyplace, Bath, Letchworth Garden City, Peak District, Kielder Water and Forest Park, Bristol and the Kings Cross Regeneration. The winner was Liverpool Waterfront and the runner-up was Thame High Street.

A panel of eight judges short-listed the ten finalists from over 200 places originally nominated by the public. Each place was judged against a number of factors such as access to open green spaces, public transport, its visual appeal, mix of communities and amenities.

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Bradford Council’s Heritage Champion, Coun Val Slater, said: “While we are disappointed not to win outright, coming top in Yorkshire and third nationally in this competition is a great achievement.

Members of the public leaving Saltaire Station, making their walk up the cobbled street of Albert Terrace.Members of the public leaving Saltaire Station, making their walk up the cobbled street of Albert Terrace.
Members of the public leaving Saltaire Station, making their walk up the cobbled street of Albert Terrace.

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“Coming on the back of the hugely successful World Heritage UK conference recently held in the village and many other awards the village has won, it shows we are on the right track with our management of the historic site for residents, businesses and visitors.

“It’s no secret that Saltaire is one of the greatest places in England but it’s nice to get official recognition of that fact.”

Jennifer Winyard, Chair of RTPI Yorkshire, said: “I am not surprised that Saltaire was voted among the top three places in England’s Great Places competition.

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“It is clearly a much appreciated and loved place by local people. Sensitive and skilful planning from the local authorities has protected the essence of this unique historic settlement and kept it a beautiful place.

“It has also enjoyed economic regeneration supported by good planning and partnerships.”

Saltaire, near Bradford, is a World Heritage Site-designated village. It was awarded that status as an “exceptionally complete and well-preserved industrial village of the second half of the 19th century,”

In August, the Yorkshire Post included the area in a list of ‘40 reasons Yorkshire is so special’, commenting: “Salts Mill, the focal point of Saltaire, the model village whose atmosphere of Victorian sobriety lingers so strongly, particularly when the street lamps are aglow on foggy autumn evenings.”

Related topics:SaltaireYorkshireBradford CouncilEngland