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22. ANP16: Renewable Energy

22.1Renewable Energy - Albury Parish can generate renewable energy. The history of the parish shows the contribution the River Tillingbourne has played in driving mills and may still have a role to play in producing micro hydro-electric power. Much of the parish is under managed woodland and woodchip is one of the key forms of biomass used to create renewable energy. Harvested biomass can reduce emissions by displacing fossil fuels as an energy source, but to achieve emission reductions biomass must, as a minimum, be harvested from sustainably managed land that has stable or increasing carbon stocks over time. As a consequence, the source of the fuel and how the land has been managed influences how sustainable it will be. Most woodland in the parish is sustainably managed by the Albury Estate. There are also sites capable of providing solar arrays and the potential for wind farming. The inclusion of renewable energy schemes would need to be designed and sited sensitively so as not to detract from the Surrey Hills National Landscape, Green Belt, key views and biodiversity. The development of renewable energy sources will be supported providing that they accord with national and local planning policies and those policies set out in the Neighbourhood Plan

22.2Solar array site I - Between April-June 2024 a consultation took place for parishioners to review the Neighbourhood Plan policies, including site I, a potential solar array site in Albury village. Site identified on MAP B.

22.315% of those registered on the parish Electoral Register responded and there was overall support for development of site I as proposed. However, many respondents gave their support on condition that certain aspects of the proposals were addressed. Full details of the consultation and outcome can be found in APPENDIX L.

Policy ANP16 – Renewable Energy

  1. Development of site I for a solar array development will be supported where the following criteria are satisfied:

    1. It has been robustly demonstrated through a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment that the landscape impact, with particular regard to on the setting of Albury village, Newlands Corner and the Surrey Hills National Landscape, has been minimised with mitigation measures incorporated, where necessary.

    2. The development complies with the Guildford Borough Local Plan, NPPF, Albury Parish Neighbourhood Plan, and Surrey Hills National Landscape.

    3. Where it has been demonstrated that the views expressed by residents who responded to the Neighbourhood Plan Parish Consultation 2024 as set out in APPENDIX L, have been addressed. In particular residents were keen that the development of solar array sites/green energy sites should benefit the whole community and not just those belonging to the landowner.

2. Proposals for individual and community scale energy from hydro-electricity, solar photovoltaic panels, local biomass facilities, anaerobic digestions, wood fuel products and green energy schemes will be supported subject to the following criteria:

  1. the siting and scale of the proposed development is appropriate to its setting and position in the wider landscape;

  2. Harm to heritage assets is avoided or justified in line with national policy and the Guildford Local Plan;

  3. the proposed development does not create an unacceptable impact on the amenities of local residents; and the proposed development does not have an unacceptable impact on a feature of natural or biodiversity importance or create pollution