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15. ANP9: Tourism

15.1The Tourism Report APPENDIX H sets out the need to encourage Tourism in the parish as it helps sustain the viability of rural enterprise and addresses the demand for amenity space, however this needs to be balanced to protect the Green Belt, Surrey Hills National Landscape, biodiversity, the natural environment and avoid excessive traffic on local roads. The reasonable amenity of parishioners also needs protection.

15.2A listing of the parish tourism assets is contained in the Tourism Report APPENDIX H.

15.3Visitor related development, by its nature, is often located in sensitive areas and its benefits need to be carefully balanced against the need to protect the countryside and heritage assets from overcrowding and degradation. The policy seeks to ensure that the unique natural landscapes and heritage, which appeal as a leisure and tourism destination, are preserved. In the event of any newly built development, where identified needs are not met by existing facilities, it must respect and complement the natural attractions of the landscape and reflect the character of the surrounding area.

15.4The attraction of Albury Parish lies in its location in the Surrey Hills National Landscape. Recent developments at Silent Pool combining vineyard, gin distillery and quality food businesses has drawn attention to what can be achieved and provides additional opportunity for development – as a craft/food area. As ever there are currently limiting factors such as visitor car parking which has become problematic in recent times.

15.5Development of the links between Albury, Newlands Corner, Silent Pool, former landfill viewing platform, Saxon/Apostolic churches and the Tillingbourne River offers a real development opportunity to create the “Albury Triangle” linking up existing, integrating new facilities, and utilising signage, new and existing.

15.6The Parish Council are asked to compile an ‘Albury Triangle’ walk encompassing Newlands Corner, Silent Pool, Albury village with appropriate signage and to provide signage for existing walks outlined on MAP J. This will benefit tourism and rural enterprise

Policy ANP9 – Tourism

  1. Development proposals for new and/or enhanced tourist facilities which deliver a high-quality visitor experience and increase the contribution that tourism, arts and cultural heritage make to the quality of life, social and cultural well-being will be supported if they:

  1. Comply with policies as set out in the Neighbourhood Plan and Albury Design Guidance APPENDIX A.

  2. There is sufficient parking space, and the development can be safely accommodated by the local highway network.

  3. There are visitor facilities to accommodate the development.

  4. There is no significant adverse impact on neighbouring amenity arising from the development.

  5. There is no harm to heritage assets, scenic views, the environment or to local biodiversity as set out in relevant national, local and neighbourhood plan policies and Albury Design Guidance APPENDIX A; and

  6. The proposal is of a scale appropriate and sympathetic to its location in a nationally protected landscape.

2. The loss of tourist facilities will be resisted including car parks and visitor facilities, unless robustly justified in line with Policy E6 of the Guildford Borough Local Plan (2019)

- Newlands Corner

- Albury Fishing Pond