National Trust proposals could see £1 million investment into project at Plymouth’s Saltram House
The National Trust is announcing plans to open up more of its estate to double the size of the free-to-access country park at Saltram in Plymouth.
It’s expected that the new area of country park will ‘enhance public access, restore historical landscapes, and improve the area’s natural habitats.’
The charity says the area will be the equivalent to 45 football pitches and will ‘create a vibrant, accessible green space for community wellbeing and engagement as well as providing a boost for nature.’
It’s now submitted a planning application to Plymouth City Council for the project, with the aim of opening the extended area of country park by spring 2025 (if permission is granted).
Tree-lined pathway in May at Saltram, Devon. Copyright: National Trust / Image: Emma Wakeham.
‘The green spaces in our towns and cities are so important to us all – they’re places to unwind, to play, to improve our health, and to support wildlife,’ explains Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust.
‘We want to bring nature closer to people’s doorsteps, and by opening up this area of land, we hope to do just that for more people in Plymouth.’
The project is part of the National Trust’s work with the city and partners to boost wider access to blue and green spaces.
It’s also a key part of the charity’s commitment to creating more green lungs in cities to bring nature to people’s doorsteps and is part of its green corridor work, first announced in 2020.
‘New spaces for people to learn about the history of the site’
‘We are looking to make both physical and intellectual access improvements at Saltram, as well as open new spaces for people to learn about the history of the site and its connection to the city,’ says Gina Small, Senior Project Manager for the National Trust at Saltram.
‘We are committed to working with the people of Plymouth and partners to shape this next chapter in Saltram’s history to ensure we continue to meet the growing needs of the communities we serve.’
‘Saltram is a well-loved place for many, but we want to make sure everyone feels welcome to visit and that Saltram can play a more pivotal role in supporting health, wellbeing and education in the years ahead.’
Gina Small, Senior Project Manager for the National Trust at Saltram. Copyright: National Trust Images / Sarah Elmes.
The charity will be investing around a million pounds into the project, with an additional £300,000 from external partners to create a new 2.5-kilometre multi-use trail.
The pathway is designed to be an extension to the existing riverside walk at Saltram and will be able to accommodate cyclists, walkers, wheelchair users, families with pushchairs – and those who prefer a flat and stable surface.
It will also connect to the national cycle route, providing access for 23,000 households near Saltram, in addition to the 5,500 households in the new town of Sherford, located just 1.5 miles from the estate’s edge.
The conservation charity’s ambition is to support more people to travel to Saltram by foot or bike.
It’s also looking to a future point where there will be ‘play areas, versatile outdoor spaces for informal play or events, and a wheeled activity skills area, suitable for a range of wheeled equipment, such as bicycles, scooters, balance bikes, hand cycles, assisted bikes and wheelchairs.’
‘A pioneer city for nature’
‘Our work at Saltram is key in realising the potential of Plymouth as a pioneer city for nature and delivering a green lung for everyone to enjoy,’ explains Jez McDermott, General Manager for the National Trust at Saltram.
‘This area of the estate hasn’t previously been open to the public. The existing park already hosts around a million visits each year so this additional green space will allow us make nature even more accessible by foot and by bike for the 268,000 residents of Plymouth.’
‘Doubling the size of the country park represents an exciting opportunity for our visitors to embrace the outdoors, promoting physical and mental well-being while safeguarding precious habitats for future generations.’
The charity says the plans are the first stage in a 10-year programme designed to enhance well-being by connecting people with heritage and nature in the city.
It adds that the ‘ambitious project will expand free-to-access country park areas, create new habitats for wildlife, improve visitor facilities, and restore historic landscapes and parkland views.’
‘In 1770, landscape artist William Tomkins painted a view from the east of Saltram House, capturing the estate’s grandeur after a commission from the Parker family who were owners of Saltram at the time,’ says Jez.
‘This historical perspective, looking northwest towards the house and castle, has been lost to time until now.’
‘The creation of Saltram East Country Park will reintroduce this magnificent vista, allowing visitors to experience a perspective of the estate similar to what Tomkins immortalised centuries ago.’
