Welcome to the Guildford Society
The Guildford Society has been an active voice, speaking up for the town and its surrounding countryside and villages, since 1896. As a Civic Society, we act as a focus for all who care about Guildford’s heritage and environment. While mindful of the past, we look firmly to the future.
We recognise that development must, and will, take place. However, we do not believe this should be at the expense of Guildford’s historic character and beauty, nor of the unspoilt countryside that surrounds it.
Hot Topics
We have selected our latest or most important news items for you below.
Please see topic areas for other news items.
Planning for the Future View article
Guildford Society has responded to the consultation on the Planning for the Future White Paper. Although we can sympathise with the objectives to make the planning system simpler and the results better we have serious concerns that the White Pa... View article
Planning - Can Brighton teach Guildford a lesson? View article
Brighton currently has a mixed-use development by First Base underway in the centre of the city. The site is on the old American Express complex, the area concerned is similar to that available at North Street in Guildford.
Brighton Council ... View article
Weyside Urban Village - Public Consultation View article
The consultation on the plans to build the Weyside Urban Village is coming to its end. The last of a series of ‘virtual’ event is 4th November - See how to attend
Weyside Urban Village has a Website containing lots of inform... View article
A optimistic view? A superabundance of clean energy by 2030 View article
A think tank RethinkX is predicting that we are at an inflexion point where we are going to experience the fastest, deepest, most profound disruption of the energy sector in over a century. This one is being driven by the convergence of several key t... View article
Planning is migrating from paper to IT. View article
The recent Planning for the Future White Paper presents proposals to enable the planning system using IT technology, although it is lacking in specific details. It is interesting that use of IT may be happening anyway. Most Architectural ... View article
Solar Power may be the “Cheapest Electricity In History” View article
The International Energy Agency (IEA) latest report indicates that solar power is now the “cheapest electricity in history.” This is a reflection on the declining cost and increasing efficiency of Solar Cells.
It is only part of ... View article
Building Design - New Architecture of Interest View article
Design of buildings can be judged in so many ways, Practicality, Cost, Aesthetics, Sustainability etc. Design also evolves as new materials become available and/or the cost of materials changes.
Modern design can invoke strong reactions both... View article
The Housing Demand Algorithm View article
There has been a deluge of comments about the Housing Algorithm. Wired Magazine has a good summary of the issues that the Algorithm might cause if it is proceeded with.
The Wired article concludes after discussing various Government Algorith... View article
A New Look for the Society View article
We have launched a new website and a new image for the Society. This is a significant change to make communication with our members and the public easier.
Website
In an environment that increasingly depends upon electronic commu... View article
Working from home won’t slash emissions View article
The Conversation Website has published an interesting article on how working from home won’t slash emissions unless a car-free lifestyle is enabled. An analysis of the National Travel Survey showed that people working from home made just ... View article
Help us make Guildford better
We want our town to be vibrant, attractive and liveable. We support development that brings a sense of place and enhances the best aspects of our town. If such aims can be embraced, we believe Guildford has the chance to lead the way in enabling sensitive and sustainable development.
Pressures for development are increasing. Planning rules are being eased. The Society’s commitment to standing up for Guildford is needed more than ever.
Topic Areas
The society has several work groups that look at the preservation and evolution of Guildford more details can be found in the appropriate section.
Other Organisations
The Society engages with a variety of other organisations who share our interests and we share the links for information. We are also include links to Guildford Borough Council and other government bodies and Developers of key sites. Finally we include a other links that of interest related to the borough.