14. ANP8: Rural Enterprise
14.1As a small parish that is heavily constrained by Green Belt and Surrey Hills National Landscape, rural businesses face particular challenges to continued economic growth and prosperity as current provision and opportunities for future expansion are very limited.
14.2Between April-June 2024 a consultation took place for parishioners to review the Neighbourhood Plan policies, including 2 rural enterprise sites at Site G the Old Sandpit/Sawmill on the A25, and site H Sherbourne Farm. (sites identified on MAP D). The consultation was advertised by posters, 3 meetings in the village hall, on the parish and Neighbourhood Plan websites and via social media. Every home in the parish received newsletters at the start and end of the consultation encouraging their participation. Full details of the outcome can be found in APPENDIX L (Outcome of The Parish Consultation 2024)
14.315% of households registered in the parish Electoral Register responded and there was overall support for development of sites G and H as proposed in MAP D however, many respondents gave their support on condition that certain aspects of the proposals were addressed.
14.4Where provision is found, it is often in the form of converted rural buildings. With continued growth of this type of premises considered inevitable to meet the needs of what is essentially a local market consisting of rural businesses which operate in the area. The NPPF §88 states that planning policies should support economic growth in rural areas in order to create jobs and prosperity by taking a positive approach to sustainable development. As such, the Parish Council will continue to support sustainable re-use of redundant agricultural buildings or redevelopment of existing buildings to provide small scale and well-designed new buildings to meet future commercial and office-based needs in these locations, provided they accord with Green Belt policy and do not result in unsafe access or visitor parking arrangements.
14.5Several sites in Albury parish, including Sherbourne Farm, Home Farm, Weston Farm, and Birmingham Lane Farm that are presently actively engaged in rural diversification by converting otherwise unproductive or redundant farm buildings for small scale office and/or light commercial use and flexible start-up accommodation. Other such sites have the potential for similar uses as market conditions and opportunities may dictate, and there is a growing propensity of professionals and trades working from home. These will be supported,
14.6The Parish Council considers it essential to the continued and growing health and vitality of Albury parish that existing businesses continue to be supported, and that new and appropriate enterprises are encouraged. The purpose of this policy is to encourage opportunities for organic growth in local employment and other economic opportunities.
14.7The policy also sets out the Parish Council’s support for the retention of a public house, shops and a post office in Albury village as essential local shops and facilities in the parish. Similarly, there is support for the pub in Little London. The Parish Council will resist the loss of these as they are a vital part of rural parish life.
14.8Proposals that will result in the loss of employment floor-space will be resisted unless it can be demonstrated that either there will be an increase in jobs as a result of the proposals enabling a higher employment density to be achieved, or the use is no longer viable.
14.9The Parish Council will support farm diversification and re-use of existing agricultural buildings for employment purposes provided they comply with the GBC Local Plan, the NPPF, an all policies in the Neighbourhood Plan and the Albury Design Guidance and Codes APPENDIX A.
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Figure 9 - Mandira’s Kitchen
MAP D – Rural Enterprise Locations
Policy ANP8 – Rural Enterprises
Development for small scale rural office space or other small-scale rural enterprise or development to provide well-designed business premises at sites G and H, as identified on the Policy MAP D, will be supported, provided they accord with Green Belt policies, safeguard the amenity of surrounding neighbours, provide adequate visitor parking and traffic management and servicing and delivery arrangements and comply with the Guildford Borough Local Plan 2019, the NPPF and the Albury Parish Neighbourhood Plan policies and the Albury Design Guidance and Codes APPENDIX A.
Schemes for each site must reasonably address the views expressed by residents who responded to the Neighbourhood Plan Parish Consultation 2024. Planning applications should robustly show how these have been addressed. A summary of the comments can be found in APPENDIX L. The Parish Council is requested to review these comments when any planning applications are submitted for the sites.
Development proposals for the retention, enhancement and creation of new business space allowing for flexibility to cater for the changing needs of the local economy, will be supported where they comply with The Guildford Borough Local Plan 2019, the NPPF, the Albury Parish Neighbourhood Plan and Albury Design Guidelines APPENDIX A.
4. The diversification and re-use of existing agricultural buildings for employment purposes will be supported provided they comply with the Guildford Local Plan, the NPPF and all policies as set out in this Neighbourhood Plan and the Albury Design Guidance and Codes APPENDIX A.
5. Proposals that will result in the loss of employment floor-space will be resisted, unless it can be demonstrated that either there will be an increase in jobs as a result of the proposals enabling a higher employment density to be achieved, or it has been demonstrated that the use is no longer viable through an active and comprehensive marketing exercise over a period of at least 12 months from initial vacancy with the Parish Council notified in writing at the start of this process and consulted regarding alternatives
6. In line with Policies E5 (5) and E3 (12) of the Guildford Local Plan, proposals that would result in the loss of shops and services that provide for everyday needs (within Use Class AE(a), as well as public houses, will be acceptable only if evidence is provided of active and comprehensive marketing of the site for its current use for a minimum of 12 months prior to the submission of any planning application, and that the Parish Council will be notified in writing at the start of this process and will be consulted regarding alternatives.