Latest news

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and press releases.

Town Centre Regeneration Progresses at Bedford Wharf

Exciting plans to regenerate Bedford Wharf which include improving station and riverside access for pedestrians and cyclists, new landscaping, public art and open space for community events were progressed at a recent meeting of the Executive. Read more >

Guildford Crematorium redevelopment progressing well

Aerial photos show the excellent progress being made on our project to build a new, improved Crematorium. The old buildings have now been demolished and work has begun on the new chapel, offices and other facilities. The £10 million pound investment in Guildford Crematorium will see the new state-of-the-art facilities, fit for the future needs of families and the local community, open on the existing site in late 2019. Read more >

New Local Plan another step closer after public hearing

The government's Planning Inspector has now finished his latest public hearing, which took place on 12-13 February and forms part of his independent examination of our submitted Local Plan. Read more >

Fly tipping residents fined £300

Two residents from Ripley have been fined £300 by Guildford Borough Council's Joint Enforcement Team (JET) officers after they gave their household waste to someone who later fly tipped it. Read more >

Local history shapes our identity at Guildford Museum's new exhibition

A Woolly Mammoth's tooth, Roman coins and tales of Guildford Borough's famous and not so famous (yet!) figures - these are just some of the untold stories and rich local history being celebrated at a free exhibition at Guildford Museum until 23 March. Read more >

Next week's Local Plan public hearing will focus on housing

The government's Planning Inspector will hold another public hearing on 12-13 February, at the Council's offices in Guildford, as part of his independent examination of our submitted Local Plan. Read more >

Providing services and minimising disruption during severe weather

Most of our services are operating as usual today. Our main priorities remain the safety of the public, our staff and helping our most vulnerable residents to make sure they have all they need. Read more >

New pedestrian and cycle route opens

Guildford's newest pedestrian and cycle path opened this week as part of an initiative to make it easier and safer to travel in this area of the borough. Landscaping and further enhancements will follow in the Spring. Read more >

Guildford Schools Parking Watch helps improve safety

Parking issues around schools in Guildford are improving thanks to partnership working between our Parking Enforcement Team and 30 schools in the local area. Read more >

Fake council tax refund emails warning

If you receive an email from 'Andrew Walsh' stating we owe you a council tax refund, please be aware it is a phishing scam and do not click on any links in the email.

If you have a received a communication claiming to be from the Council and are unsure whether it is genuine please contact customer services at customerservices@guildford.gov.uk.

Parking in Guildford made easier

Residents, those working in the town, and visitors will benefit from improvements to Guildford's car parks and the Council's commitment to reduce town centre congestion following a decision by the Executive last night (Tuesday 22 January). Read more >

More affordable social housing to help meet local need

Providing and building a mix of homes to buy and rent at affordable prices to meet the different needs of our communities is a key priority for Guildford Borough Council. At last night's Executive (22 January) continued investment in increasing our affordable housing stock was approved, subject to the further approval of the full Council at its budget-setting meeting on 26 February. Read more >

Savings, investment and service changes to address major funding challenges

Last night (22 January), the Executive considered the latest outline budget for 2020-2021, which also helps with the Council's medium-term plans up to 2023. Read more >

Have your say on polling places in Guildford

Is your nearest polling station easily accessible? The Council is reviewing its polling districts and stations and wants local residents to give their views. Read more >

Fly-tipping resident pleads guilty

A Tongham resident has pleaded guilty to fly-tipping and been ordered to pay over £800 in fines and costs, after household waste was found dumped around a Council-owned garage block. Read more >

Above and beyond: Who makes a real difference in your community? Nominations invited for Mayor's award

Do you know anyone in your community who goes out of their way to improve the lives of others? Read more >

Town Centre transformation - latest update on North Street

We continue our work with M&G Real Estate to redevelop the North Street site and provide much-needed homes, along with appropriate retail and leisure opportunities. Read more >

Working Towards a Green Travel Network for Guildford

The Council's annual air quality update is going to Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 15 January with an update on our Air Quality Strategy action plan. Read more >

Forest school future for Chantry Wood campsite

The Council's Executive agreed provisionally at their meeting on 8 January that Chantry Wood campsite in the Surrey Hills AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), should accept further forest school use as well as closing the campsite to use by the general public. Read more >

Premier League and FA funding secured for new state-of-the-art pitch at Kings College

Guildford Borough Council and Kings College have successfully secured a grant of over £346,000 from the Premier League and FA Facilities Fund towards a state-of-the-art, full-size, floodlit 3G pitch at Kings College in Guildford. Read more >

Plans take flight for new swift tower in Shalford

Swifts which return to Shalford every year will soon have a new place to nest, thanks to a project funded by Section 106 developer contributions and the Surrey Hills Trust Fund. Read more >

Local Plan - public hearing on 12 to 13 February 2019 to focus on housing

The government's Planning Inspector will hold another public hearing, at the Council's offices in Guildford, as part of his independent examination of our submitted Local Plan. Read more >

The Council takes more successful enforcement action

The Council issued an enforcement notice on 2 March 2017, requiring the demolition of a fence erected without planning permission in Ash Vale. Read more >

Annual canvass - still time to return your forms

Don't lose your vote in next year's local elections - that's the reminder to the small number of local residents who have yet to respond to this year's annual canvass. This year 94.89% of borough residents returned the annual canvass of electors form (a legal obligation), an increase from last year of 2.87%. But there is still time to return your form by post if you act now. Read more >

Council adopts West Horsley Neighbourhood Plan

The Council has made (adopted) the West Horsley Neighbourhood Plan, following its meeting on 4 December and the successful referendum result on 22 November 2018. Read more >

Councils working together to improve air quality

At its next meeting on 12 December, the Guildford Joint Committee will consider the outline business case to enable the Blackwater Valley partnership to move forward with improving air quality on the A331. Read more >

Celebrating Guildford's Innovation Leaders

Dynamic advances across a spectrum of sectors from technology to sustainability were celebrated at Guildford's Innovation Awards at the Guildhall last night (3 December). Read more >

£115,000 allocated for parish projects to support local communities

Commemorative seats, community swimming pool renovation and new outdoor fitness and play equipment are among the parish projects that will receive funding contributions from the Council next year. Read more >

Savings, investment and outline budget to address major funding challenges

Last night (27 November), the Executive considered the latest outline budget for 2019-20, which also helps with the Council's medium-term plans up to 2023. Read more >

West Horsley Neighbourhood Plan passes referendum

The West Horsley Neighbourhood Plan passed a referendum held on 22 November 2018, with a 95.92% majority 'Yes' vote. Read more >

Guildford Community Lottery - first draw in December - buy tickets now

The first draw of our new Guildford Community Lottery, with a top prize of £25,000, will take place on Saturday 1 December. A single ticket costs £1, with 60p going directly to good causes. Read more >

Simply had a wonderful Christmas lights time!

The mood was right and the spirits were most definitely up at Guildford's annual Christmas lights switch-on event in the historic High Street last week. Read more >

Local Plan - thousands of public comments and impact of latest consultation

We received over 5,500 comments in the recent consultation on the main modifications to our new Local Plan. Read more >

Local Plan - latest household figures could mean fewer homes with no extra greenbelt sites

Latest household projection figures could have major implications for our emerging Local Plan and potentially reduce the number of homes needed in the borough each year. Read more >

Updated Local Plan - consultation on main changes starts 11 September

Help shape the borough's future by commenting on the main modifications to our updated Local Plan in the next consultation, as agreed by the Executive at its meeting last night (4 September). Read more >

Local Plan - next step in shaping our borough's future

We are reaching another milestone in providing much-needed homes, jobs, leisure and other opportunities across our borough, as the Executive consider the main modifications consultation at a special Local Plan meeting on Tuesday 4 September. Read more >

Local Plan hearings finish - more opportunities to shape our borough's future

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of the Council, says: "Across our whole borough, people need places to live and thrive, with a great environment, transport and other vital infrastructure to support them. The government's Planning Inspector has now finished the public hearings, which form part of his independent examination of our new Local Plan. Our plan aims to provide a framework for the future, whilst balancing critical and changing needs, and we have responded to a series of questions on a variety of topics throughout the process. Read more >

Local Plan public hearings start for independent inspection

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of the Council, says: "We are very proud of the Local Plan we submitted to the inspectorate and look forward to it being tested through the examination process and the public hearings that start today (5 June). Read more >

Local Plan progresses with more answers for independent inspector

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of the Council, says: "Our new Local Plan is the best way to provide the homes, jobs, education, transport and other essential infrastructure to balance community needs across our borough. Progress continues and we have now responded to the second set of initial questions and the matters and issues questions received from the Planning Inspector. Our answers give the opportunity to clarify the reasoning behind our plan and explain the positive steps taken to deliver the plan." Read more >

Local Plan next step - guidance, matters and issues for examination and hearings

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of the Council, says: "Our new Local Plan is progressing through independent examination and aims to help communities thrive and balance needs, wherever people live or work in the borough. The Planning Inspector manages the whole process and decides if he wants to ask the Council, or anyone else, for clarification or to raise concerns as part of testing the soundness of our plan. Read more >

Local Plan progresses with answers for independent inspector

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of the Council, says: "Our new Local Plan is the best way to provide the homes, jobs, education, transport and other essential infrastructure to balance community needs across our borough. We have now responded to the set of initial questions received from the Planning Inspector, which is part of the usual process of developing a new plan and included topics such as housing numbers, meeting needs and the timing of delivery. Read more >

Local Plan initial questions received from independent inspector

Cllr Paul Spooner, Leader of the Council, says: "Our Local Plan is about balancing community needs and enabling people to thrive, wherever they live or work in the borough. Receiving the set of initial questions from the Planning Inspector is another step forward and part of the usual process when developing a new plan." Read more >