Latest news

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

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 >

An evening of celebration at the Sport Guildford Awards 2018

Local athletes, coaches, clubs and dedicated volunteers were celebrated at the annual Sport Guildford Awards last night (8 November). Read more >

Council strengthens international relationships at twin towns' sustainable development forum

Developing sustainable cities and communities was at the forefront of a conference in Guildford's twin town Freiburg recently. The Council joined cities from around the world to focus on sustainable development at a local level. 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 >

Guildford Remembers - community shares their memories in World War One commemoration video

As part of Guildford Remembers, we invited residents and local groups to take part in workshops to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War. Read more >

Accelerating innovation in the borough through Project Alloyed and driverless cars

Embracing innovation and future technologies are a key part of the Council's vision to encourage economic growth and invest in environmentally sustainable transport across the borough. Read more >

Marking 100 years since the end of the First World War: Guildford remembers

Armistice Day on Remembrance Sunday, 11 November, marks 100 years since the end of the First World War. Read more >

It's beginning to look a lot like... Christmas Lights!

Join us on Thursday 15 November when everywhere you go in the High Street will be filled with Christmas entertainment for all the family from 12 noon until late at the annual Christmas Lights Switch-on event from Guildford Borough Council and Experience Guildford, supported by 96.4 Eagle Radio. Read more >

Wisley Airfield garden village bid could lead to important government funding and extra support

Last night (30 October) the Executive approved submitting a bid to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) National Garden Communities Programme to try and gain garden village status for the proposed settlement at Wisley Airfield. Read more >

New homes for affordable rent as Council tackles affordability crisis

With over 2,500 people on our housing register, Guildford Borough Council is working hard to help tackle the lack of affordable social housing in the borough by building our own homes for affordable rent. Following the recent Government announcement that the cap on borrowing to build affordable homes will be scrapped, we continue to develop our programme of using underused land in the area for family housing. 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 >

Children and young people's leisure and arts activities for all seasons

Did you know Guildford Borough Council offers a diverse range of activities and events for children and young people all year round? We provide the opportunity to take part in everything from outdoor activities to sporting and creative arts events throughout the year during term time and over the holidays. This year we also became one of the first councils to support Street Play initiatives where residents can apply to close their road and host community play sessions. Read more >

Tickets go live for the Guildford Community Lottery

The new Guildford Community Lottery, with a £25,000 top prize, will soon be live, with tickets going on sale from Tuesday 30 October 2018. Read more >

New interim chapel at Guildford Crematorium offers a peaceful space for reflection

The new interim chapel is now open at Guildford Crematorium while work takes place to build the new chapel and other facilities. Offering a peaceful place for commemoration and reflection, the interim chapel has the same facilities as the existing main chapel, including the Wesley music system and an organ. Fully air-conditioned, carpeted and heated, the interim chapel can accommodate over 100 people and has full wheelchair access. Read more >

Essential design advice for homeowners extending or altering their properties

Homeowners and developers now have better guidance for altering and extending their homes as a new Residential Extensions and Alterations Supplementary Planning Document, or SPD was adopted at the last meeting of the Executive in September. Read more >

New Walnut Bridge plans approved as part of Guildford's Sustainable Transport Package

Plans to update and replace Walnut Bridge were approved at a meeting of the Planning Committee last night. One of a number of innovative projects within Guildford Town Centre's Sustainable Transport package, the new bridge will encourage walking and cycling between the town centre and the station. Read more >

New properties mark another step forward in town centre transformation

We have just acquired two properties in the Bedford Wharf area to help advance our plans to regenerate Guildford town centre. Read more >

Winners announced as Mayor's Awards for Access celebrates 15 years

Ten local organisations and individuals have been recognised for their dedication to making the borough a more accessible place for all at this year's Mayor's Awards for Access. The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford Museum and Guildford Library were among those picking up awards at a ceremony at The Council Chamber last night (3 October). Read more >

Free enterprising advice to help businesses grow and succeed

Existing and start-up businesses in the borough will benefit from a new, free advice and support service from Guildford Borough Council in partnership with Enterprise M3 Growth Hub and BE Group. Read more >

Successful planning enforcement cases

The Council has had success on three recent planning enforcement cases. Read more >

New war memorial unveiled in Guildford

On Sunday 30 September a new war memorial, commemorating all those with a local Guildford connection who died while serving in the Armed Forces since the end of World War Two, was dedicated at a special ceremony in the Castle Grounds. Read more >

Free creative workshops in the Guildford Big Draw 2018

Arts and crafts enthusiasts, or those who would just like to try something new, now have the chance with 10 free workshops held across the borough as part of the sixth annual Big Draw in October. Read more >

First meeting of new Guildford Joint Committee

The Guildford Joint Committee had its first meeting on 19 September. Read more >

Rewarding local innovation at the Guildford Innovation Awards - enter now

The Guildford Innovation Awards 2018 have been designed to celebrate what Guildford does best - innovate! The awards build upon the success of the 2018 Innovate Guildford programme, celebrating inspirational innovation across a spectrum of sectors in the borough and promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths ('STEM') subjects. They are open to individuals, businesses and social enterprises located in our borough. Read more >

Celebrating our borough's blooming great gardeners

Green fingered creativity was celebrated through the theme of 'peace' to mark the centenary of World War I at the annual Guildford in Bloom Awards on 12 September. Read more >

Local heritage sites open their doors for Heritage Open Days

Do you want to discover more about Guildford's rich heritage? This weekend, from Thursday 13 September to Sunday 16 September, Heritage Open Days will be back in Guildford offering free access to a host of different events, buildings, churches, guided walks, talks, activities and tours. Many different locations are taking part, including a glass blower's studio, a vineyard and The Royal Grammar School's Chained Library. Read more >

Guildford awarded Purple Flag status for the fifth year!

For the fifth year in a row Guildford town centre has been recognised by the Purple Flag assessors for its safe and diverse night time economy. It remains the only town in Surrey and one of only 70 in the UK to hold the award. Read more >

Guildford Community Lottery - launch event

The Council is launching a new online lottery called the Guildford Community Lottery. Read more >

Council scrutinises its commitment to sustainable transport plans

Plans and policies to change travel behaviour in the borough were constructively challenged at a meeting of the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 11 September. 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 >