Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, a close friend of Prince William and godfather to Prince Louis, is facing opposition from local residents and farmers over plans to lease 15 acres of his Buckinghamshire estate for a large-scale biogas plant. Acorn Bioenergy intends to build England's largest biogas-to-grid digestion plant on Aubrey-Fletcher's Hornage Farm.
This type of plant uses anaerobic digestion to break down organic matter, such as food and agricultural waste, to produce biogas that can be fed into the national gas grid. Aubrey-Fletcher and Acorn Energy state the project, named Hornage Green Power, will help address the energy crisis by supplying enough renewable gas to heat approximately 9,500 homes. They also assert that their plans are designed to benefit the rural economy while avoiding negative impacts, and that independent statutory consultees have raised no objections.
However, a campaign group, Say No to Acorn, has voiced significant concerns. A spokesperson for the group told The Times that the proposed plant in an open countryside location will negatively affect road safety due to an anticipated 30,000 journeys by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) transporting an estimated 150,000 tons of organic material annually through nine villages. The campaigners also fear increased noise pollution, reduced air quality, and the potential for toxic waste to contaminate nearby waterways. They question the plant's reliance on transported materials, its impact on local infrastructure, and unresolved issues concerning water supply, pollution, odor, noise, and technical capacity.
John Brown, a farmer whose land adjoins the proposed site, described the plant as "completely inappropriate" and cautioned against viewing it as a solely green energy initiative, stating that the local rural infrastructure would struggle to manage the increased traffic.
Conservative MP Greg Smith has formally written to Buckinghamshire Council to express his opposition to the plans. The council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to make a decision on the proposal, which has already garnered 1,125 objections from the public. Aubrey-Fletcher, 44, is a long-standing friend of Prince William, having attended Ludgrove Prep School and Eton College together. The Prince and Princess of Wales were guests at Aubrey-Fletcher's wedding in 2011, and Prince William served as an usher. Aubrey-Fletcher is the youngest son of Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, the 8th Baronet and Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire. His wife, Louise Stourton, also attended Prince Louis' christening and is the daughter of Edward Stourton, a hereditary peer.
