Local News
Letter: A Consultation Is Not a Binding Referendum
From George Potter Lib Dem borough and county councillor In response to: I Hope West Surrey Council Will Overturn GBC’s Town Council Proposal I would simply point out to Lottie Harding that a turnout of around six per cent, even after a pamphlet had been sent to every single household shows that m...
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Opinion: Why Are We Still Waiting for Answers on a £19m Housing Overspend?
By Bilal Akhtar Conservative borough councillor for Worplesdon Why are Guildford residents still waiting for answers on a £19 million Housing overspend? In May 2023, shortly after the local elections, Guildford residents learned that the Borough Council had overspent by around £19 million on housi...
Letter: I Am Amazed These Poles Are Being Allowed
From Nic Allen When walking along the Hog’s Back bridleway road continuing from The Mount I noticed some new telegraph poles have just been installed. I presume soon they will have the overhead cables added and draped across parts of the road to some of the new houses there and along the lane prob...
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Council Secures High Court Injunction to Halt Unlawful Development at Wanborough Fields
Guildford Borough Council has successfully obtained a High Court injunction to prevent further unauthorised development at Wanborough Fields. The injunction applies to named individuals, and also to ‘persons unknown’ including newcomers, who will be bound by the order until Thursday, March 11 20...
Surrey's stunning new nature reserve including 'Britain's best path' welcomes visitors but there are some rules
The new nature reserve is a 'shining example' of the best of England's nature, being home to some of the country's 'scarcest wildlife'
Dragon Interview: John Rigg on the House of Fraser Premises and Guildford’s Masterplan
John Rigg lost his seat as a borough councillor in 2023 but that has not stopped him being involved in Guildford affairs. A former director of real estate company Savill’s, he is well-connected with developers and in his interview with Dragon editor Martin Giles, he reports on his attempt to get a...
Gavroche Ascends to The Star
Steam engines are normally associated with the railways, but these days, together with their distinctive smells and sounds, they are seldom observed. But yesterday afternoon, Sunday (March 22), shoppers on Guildford High Street were treated to the sight of a miniature steam traction engine “Gavroc...
Proposal to Twin Epsom & Ewell with Bucha, Ukraine
By Emily Dalton local democracy reporter Epsom and Ewell has taken the first step towards twinning with a Ukrainian town. Epsom & Ewell councillors have backed plans to explore a twinning link with the Ukrainian town of Bucha. At a strategy and resources committee meeting on March 17, councillor...
Have Your Say on Policing in Surrey
Surrey residents are invited to have their say on crime and policing where they live as the Policing Your Community roadshow returns in May. Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Chief Constable Tim De Meyer will be joined by local Borough Commanders at a series of 11 in-person events held...
Highways Bulletin: More Cleaner, Greener Buses En Route
The information for this bulletin comes from Surrey County Council and is written by them. See interactive map here. Report potholes and highway issues here. Junction 10, M25 news here. Thirteen new electric buses will be out and about on Surrey’s roads this Spring. The new, fully accessible, elec...
Letter: I Hope West Surrey Council Will Overturn GBC’s Town Council Proposal
From Lottie Harding In response to: Opinion – Guildford Needs a Town Council I cannot believe the arrogance shown in this opinion piece by Cllr George Potter [Lib Dem, Burpham]. To dismiss the legitimate concerns of 47 per cent of the people who took the time to respond to the consultation on the ...
Letter: I Back the Toil of the Farmer
From Angela Richardson former Conservative MP for Guildford In response to: This Is Not About Access to a Field In easier times, the “South Field” footpath, on the Hog’s Back, has been a generous gift from the Loseley Estate to the local people, a permissive path, which has a different legal a...
'At risk' Surrey parkland could have major overhaul under new plans
The parkland has spent several years on Historic England’s at risk register having been deemed to have 'extensive significant problems'
Opinion: £7m of Overspends in Six Months – The Cost of Lib Dem Rule in Waverley
By Jane Austin Leader of the Conservative Group at Waverley Borough Council I have been knocking on a lot of doors recently, and many residents ask why I am standing in the upcoming unitary elections. After nearly three years as a councillor and 12 years serving my community, the answer is simple: I...
Opinion: Guildford Needs a Town Council
By George Potter Lib Dem county and borough councillor The numbers at the borough council meeting on Monday spoke for themselves. After a long and thoughtful debate, 24 councillors from multiple parties were in favour of establishing a town council and just nine were against. This was not an issue w...
Letter: This Is Not About Access to a Field
From Gavin Morgan founder of the Guildford History Forum In response to: Who Would Maintain a Fence by the Hog’s Back ‘South Field’? I think we need to be constructive about this problem. This is not about access to a field. It is about access to one of the most spectacular views in Surrey. Fo...
Letter: Who Would Maintain a Fence by the Hog’s Back ‘South Field’?
From Dave Middleton In response to: Blocked Hog’s Back Path – Hope for a Compromise Following Parish Council Debate Lorimer Burn blithely comments that a fence could be erected alongside the unofficial path to protect crops and that “grants may be available” to fund this. But who will be res...
Woking Asset Sale
By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter Woking Borough Council sell-off off its flagship regeneration projects – including the town’s new Hilton Hotel and shopping centres to private investors to claw back public money – has been branded a “sad” and “sobering” reality of the...
Guildford home to 'one of world's best ales' as brewery scoops prestigious award
The brewery has been an iconic establishment for the past 30 years, and now its been recognised at the 'Oscars of the brewing industry'
Outgoing County Council Leader Accuses Lib Dem MPs of Political Point-scoring
By Emily Dalton local democracy reporter Tensions boiled over in the council chamber as outgoing Surrey County Council leader Cllr Tim Oliver defended his administration and staff against accusations from local MPs and opposition councillors. He accused them of “cheap political mudslinging” agai...