Prince William's Friend's Green Energy Project Rejected by Council

Plans for a large green energy plant on the Buckinghamshire estate of Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, a close friend of Prince William, have been rejected by local councilors. The Buckinghamshire Council's Strategic Sites Committee voted against the scheme, despite recommendations from planning officers that it proceed.

Hobrey-Fletcher, 44, who was an usher at Prince William and Catherine's wedding and is a godfather to Prince Louis, offered approximately 15 acres at Hornage Farm for the biogas plant. The facility, proposed by Acorn Bioenergy, was intended to convert crops and organic matter into gas for the national grid.

However, the proposal faced significant opposition from local residents and eight parish councils. Critics raised concerns about the potential environmental impact, noise, odor, and the strain on local infrastructure. The plant would have included five digester tanks, large crop-storage areas, and two lagoons. Additionally, up to 140 lorry movements per day were anticipated during peak harvest periods, prompting fears over air pollution and road safety on narrow country lanes.

Conservative MP Greg Smith had characterized the proposal as a "monster of a proposal" and argued that it was "wrong – and frankly dangerous" for the community. The councilors ultimately cited community concerns regarding traffic and safety as the basis for their decision.

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