‘Long Overdue’ Demolition of Empty Council Homes In Westborough Begins

Published on: 18 Apr, 2026
Updated on: 18 Apr, 2026

One of the demolished houses in Westborough.

By Esme Campbell

Empty council homes that are unsafe to live in are being demolished in an effort to improve social housing across Guildford.

Council-owned properties in Westborough and Park Barn, which have been vacant for several years, are being knocked down as part of Guildford Borough Council’s Better Homes Programme.

No plans have yet been made to build new homes on these sites, but the council said future proposals for more social housing will be developed with input from local residents.

Cllr Howard Smith

The councillor for Westborough, Howard Smith (Lab), who has long pushed for action to be taken on these properties, said: “It’s really good that they’re progressing. I think it’s long overdue, but at last things seem to be moving.”

There are approximately 35 unoccupied houses in one area of Westborough, according to Cllr Smith, many of which are structurally unsound due to subsidence. Some of these council homes have been empty since 2018, he said.

The demolition work is one of the first stages of the Better Homes Programme, a regeneration project that aims to improve the quality of social housing in Westborough and Park Barn.

In this photo, taken some months ago, a council house on the corner of Fairfield Rise shows clear signs of subsidence,…

Julian Higson, Joint Strategic Director of Housing, Communities and Environment, said: “A new resident engagement group is being set up so local people can help shape the programme from the start.

“The group will meet for the first time in the coming weeks. Residents will be able to share their insight, highlight priorities, and take part in open conversations as plans evolve.”

The council also allocated a £12.5 million budget in December to upgrade the kitchens and bathrooms of its housing stock, although the work has not yet begun.

…that same property (on the left) has now been almost completely demolished.

Responses to ‘Long Overdue’ Demolition of Empty Council Homes In Westborough Begins

Anne Rouse Reply

April 18, 2026 at 4:36 pm

Really good news for Guildford residents. Well done Howard Smith. I know how hard he has worked to get this sorted.

Anne Rouse is a Labour Party activist.
James Steel Reply

April 18, 2026 at 7:19 pm

Can I ask why Cllr Julia McShane [Westborough] wasn’t asked for a comment on this article?

“Cllr Howard Smith who pushed for action” sounds very leading, especially during election purdah.

It’s Julia [McShane] who lead on the Better Homes Program for Westborough and should be able to have a say on the beginning of its implementation.

James Steel is a Liberal democrat candidate for the Westborough ward in the West Surrey Council election.

Editor’s response: Several councillors we have spoken to seem to have been confused about purdah restrictions. They believe it might constrain what they say to us. The purdah restrictions are to prevent official council communications and public funds being used to give a political party an electoral advantage.

So long as they comply with that condition, individual councillors retain their freedom of speech and can continue to speak to the media as they wish. Importantly, it should be understood that purdah restrictions do not apply to the media, as James Steel appears to imply.

Additionally, party political points were not made in the article which was following up an earlier story and informing readers of the good news that progress was being made. If Cllr McShane would like to comment she would be very welcome to do so. We are always open to comments from all councillors and candidates. At the moment, we still await her overdue response to a pre-election interview, as a senior Liberal Democrat candidate in Guildford.