A little known developer has submitted plans for what it claims will be a “trailblazing triumph of sustainable, responsible and ecologically meritorious” development on the edge of a tiny village in Buckinghamshire.
Adveneco, a company set up by Andrew Stephenson in June, according to Companies House documents, is seeking to redevelop the site of the former Orchard Herbs farm in Dorney into a major renewable energy park with high-capacity battery storage, a five-star sustainable 416-bedroom hotel, two offices blocks, a biogas water digester energy unit and an advanced educational facility.
The developer says the scheme, which sits on the edge of the M4, will be “unique in the world”, with every aspect based on renewable energy, self-sufficiency, minimal energy use and maximum energy harvesting. At the heart of the project, says Adveneco, will be a minimum 700kW combined wind and solar PV and thermal hybrid energy harvesting area of around 143,000 sq ft.
A large Teslsa power pack energy store and supercharger station is also planned for the site. Living balconies and green walls will feature as standard on the office blocks.
The access road and all trafficked areas will be paved with the latest recycled plastic surfacing, while an electric shuttle bus fleet to and from Heathrow Airport and nearby railway stations will be provided alongside on-site EV car hire and e-bikes.
For the educational facility, Adveneco hopes to team up with a university, local schools and nearby Eton College and to use holographic lecturers.
“At no time in the past 75 years has there been a more immediate, crucial market or strategic national need for this project,” writes Adveneco in its planning statement. “The economic benefits, of local and national importance and highly advanced sustainable features of this world-leading exemplary proposal are clear; there is no evidence of ecological harm or adverse visual impact that could outweigh these benefits.”
Several objections have already been made against the development, however.
The project has been labelled “insanity”, with locals saying the idea of building a 400-bedroom hotel, several offices and a multi-storey car park in a tiny village is “beyond ridiculous” and “completely unnecessary”.
Consultation on the proposals closes next month.
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