By Hugh Coakley The Guildford Dragon NEWS has compiled profiles for all candidates for the West Surrey CC elections on May 7 based on questions we asked the candidates. How did the candidates in your area respond to the questions? We asked them to respond to the…

Leading Councillors To Step Down As New Unitaries Take Over

By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter Some of the biggest figures in Surrey politics are not standing in next month’s once-in-a-generation elections. This year will see the creation of two new councils, East and West Surrey – replacing the county and the existing 11 boroughs and districts.…

Opinion: Can We Rely on Developer’ Promises of Affordable Homes?

By John Ferns When a developer offers “affordable housing” as part of a planning application for new homes how much can we rely on their promises? Should they be expected to demonstrate at the outset that those pledges have a credible delivery route? I would suggest that there…

War Graves Inspection Volunteers Reporting for Duty

Voluntary Action South West Surrey’s own volunteers have been busy again inspecting headstones and tidying up war graves in cemeteries in Farncombe and Guildford. This is with the Commonwealth War Graves’s Commission’s Eyes On, Hands On volunteering project in which volunteers check, twice a year, on what…

How Will the Political Map of Surrey Change?

By Emily Dalton local democracy reporter Surrey’s political map is looking far less predictable than it did five years ago, with Surrey County Council now under no overall control ahead of crucial elections in May 2026. The Conservative Party has lost its majority for the first time…

Normandy Takes Part in Day Of Action To Highlight Taylor Wimpey Housing Plans

By David Reading Normandy residents turned out in force to mark a national day of action seeking to protect green spaces from housing developments and to show decision-makers that nature matters to voters ahead of the May local elections. At present Normandy people are campaigning against Taylor…

Councillors Approve £628,000 Scheme To Replace Nature Reserve Boardwalk

By Emily Dalton local democracy reporting service Guildford borough councillors have approved a £628,000 scheme to replace a boardwalk at Riverside Nature Reserve in Burpham – but the decision has raised some eyebrows over the growing cost. Members of the council’s executive unanimously backed the five-month contract…

Witnesses Sought Following Incident That Left Cyclist Seriously Injured

Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses to an incident that took place on Sunday, April 12. A cyclist, a man in his 50s, was taken to hospital with serious injuries following a collision on a rural lane south of Effingham. No other vehicle was involved. Paramedics from…

Councillors Disagree Over ‘Prison Block’ Premier Inn Planning Proposal

By Chris Caulfield local democracy reporter A “monolithic” four-storey “block akin to a prison block at Broadmoor” will tower over the…

No Trifling Matter: Magpie Trapped in Godalming Sainsbury’s

By Daisy Edwards A magpie with a fondness for sausage rolls, ham and trifle has been trapped in the Sainsbury’s superstore…

Witness Appeal Following Effingham Robbery

Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery in Effingham.  Officers have been made aware of a report of a…

Dragon Interview: Thom van Every, Conservative, West Surrey Council Election Candidate

Dragon editor Martin Giles invited leading representatives from all the political parties standing in the Guildford wards for the new West…