Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils are inviting residents to join them for an “Online Engagement Session” on Thursday,  July 3, to find out about the most significant change to councils in Surrey for over 50 years. The Government has launched a public consultation on proposals to replace…

Greenfield, Greenbelt Site Deemed ‘Greybelt’ by Planning Inspector

By Emily Dalton local democracy reporter It what might be a wake up decision to other Surrey planning authorities, plans for up to 270 homes can now go ahead after an appeal where the inspector found a 15-hectare greenfield, greenbelt site is actually “grey belt”.  This means…

Drivers Caught in Yellow Box Junctions at the Dennis Roundabout Paid £81k to SCC

By David Reading The Dennis roundabout in Guildford generated the largest revenue in fines from drivers who entered yellow box junctions illegally in England last year, new research has found. Statistics obtained by the RAC found that 4,250 penalty notices (PCNS) were issued for the roundabout over…

Residents Hit By CIL Fees Should Be Offered Full Review, Says Overview Committee

By Chris Caulfield Local Democracy Reporting Service Every householder stung by Waverley Borough Council’s surprise planning charges should be offered a full review, with any repayments funded by the authority’s hoarded interest. That is one of five key recommendations by the council’s overview and scrutiny committee, which…

Plans For New Guildford Preschool Rejected On Road Safety Grounds

By Emily Dalton Local Democracy Reporting Service Highway safety fears have scuppered plans for a new Guildford preschool that parents say is needed to help children achieve academically. St Thomas of Canterbury’s School in Merrow put forward plans to transform a 1960s caretaker’s bungalow into a preschool.…

Expert in AI Is New Head of the University of Surrey

The University of Surrey has announced the appointment of Professor Stephen Jarvis as its new President and Vice-Chancellor. He will take up his role in the autumn. Professor Jarvis is internationally recognised for his contribution to the related fields of high-performance computing, data science and applied artificial…

Local MPs Vote in Favour of Assisted Dying

By Martin Giles Three local MPs voted in favour of the controversial Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill , commonly referred to as the assisted Dying Bill on Friday (June 20). Updated with Sir Jeremy Hunt’s comment below… In a free vote, Zoe Franklin (Lib Dem,…

Guildford Plans Three-Day Celebration In a Festival of History And Culture

Venues and groups across Guildford borough are being invited to take part in a national celebration of heritage and culture this autumn. Heritage Open Days, run by the National Trust, will take place in September. Guildford will celebrate with a programme of events from Friday, September 12,…

Local Therapy Garden Supporting Mental Health Shortlisted for BBC Award

A therapeutic garden in Surrey has been shortlisted for a BBC Radio Surrey Make a Difference Award for its innovative work supporting mental health and biodiversity. The St Ebba’s Therapy Garden, located in Epsom and used by residents across the county, has been named a finalist for…

Heatwave Continues – But Guildford Records Unlikely to Be Broken

Parts of the South East of England could see one of the hottest June days ever as the current heatwave peaks…

Highways Bulletin: Best Open Day Yet!

The information for this bulletin comes from Surrey County Council and is written by them. See interactive map here. Report potholes…

What a Shambles!

Martin Giles The Guildford and Waverley Council amalgamation seems to have taken a new twist if the pictured street sign, submitted…

Motorcyclist Arrested After Police Chase

A motorbike stolen from an address in Guildford was involved in a police chase today (July 28). The chase began in…