Current and Proposed Developments in Guildford
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10 year NHS Plan – the challenge for Guildford? View article
The Guildford Society believes a healthy population is a primary indicator of an attractive place to live. Although it is dependent on good health care provision, best health status comes when there are high standards in the built environment, g... View article
Pressure on the Greenbelt. View article
The Green Belt in UK planning serves as a method to manage urban growth and protect rural landscapes. The overarching goal is to maintain a clear distinction between urban and rural areas. This openness is both visual and spatial, not just the absenc... View article
Removal of Debenhams opens up Guildford Town View article
The removal of the Debenhams store has opened up a series of views that have not been seen in about six decades. The replacement of the Debenhams Store will start in a few weeks with the Native Land St Mary’s Development consisting of two... View article
Planning and Infrastructure Bill - Updated July 2025 View article
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill as its title implies covers a number of topics encompassing modifying existing Legislation as well as ne legislation.
The Bill proposes a significant series of changes to the planning system, as part of a desir... View article
Government push for Heathrow Airport Expansion by 2035 View article
The government aims to have a third Heathrow runway operational by 2035, with planning consent sought within the current Parliament. Proposals must maximise economic benefits, minimise costs through private funding—including surface transport&m... View article
Surrey Hills Extension Moves forward View article
Natural England is currently considering whether certain Extension Areas (See full Map Attached at foot of post), providing approximately an extra 30% added to the Surrey Hills National Landscape (SHNL, adjacent to the current area should be designat... View article
Consultation on Development Heights in Guildford Town - ends 8-8-25 View article
Planning policy plays a crucial role in shaping development by providing clarity to developers and decision-makers about expectations. The Local Plan includes policies addressing design, which are vital for proposals involving taller buildings. A com... View article
UK Government Unveils - National Infrastructure Strategy View article
The UK government has laid out a bold plan to rejuvenate the nation’s infrastructure with a £725bn investment over the next 10 years. This unprecedented strategy promises to address key areas of public concern, ensuring long-term stabilit... View article
Consultation on Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey View article
Proposals for the reorganisation of local government in Surrey have been received from various councils, presenting different models for unitary authority structures. These proposals aim to streamline governance and improve service delivery across th... View article
Community Governance Review: Guildford Town View article
Guildford Borough Council is considering conducting a Community Governance Review (CGR) to evaluate whether the currently unparished urban areas of Guildford should form a new parish. This review, guided by the Local Government and Public Involvement... View article
Stoke Mill Change of Use View article
Stoke Mill is subject to a planning application (25/P/00654) to change the use of the building to become a pub, with some accommodation also provided on site. The Mill complex which is very much a landmark on the approaches of Guildford from th... View article
Potential to Increase Bus Usage View article
The University of Surrey has published a study (April 2025) that found that better use of Digital Technology could increase usage of buses by 30%.
Simple innovations such as e-ticketing, mobile applications have been identified by the study ... View article
Largest Mass Timber Project in the world View article
Swedish urban property developer Atrium Ljungberg is at Sickla, a former industrial area in south Stockholm, creating what is to become the “largest mass timber project in the world”
In 2022 Atrium Ljungberg set an ambitiou... View article
An Exemplar Retrofit View article
The Entopia Building, is a retrofitted 1930s Telephone Exchange in Cambridge. It is the new home of the for the Cambridge for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).
The Entopia Building has been built as an international exemplar for sustai... View article
London updates its Strategic Plan View article
Consultation has now started on the development of a new London Plan the spatial development strategy for Greater London. It sets out a framework for how London will develop over the next 20-25 years supporting the current mayor's vision of '... View article
Airport Expansion - Updated View article
London’s Airports have been a subject of much debate over the years. With plans for Expansion raised every few years or proposals for new sites e.g. the recent ideas promoted for a site in the Thames Estuary. The government is now support... View article
Selected National & Local Planning Policies
The Guildford Society
The Guildford Society has been an active voice, speaking up for the town and its surrounding countryside and villages for over a century.
While mindful of the past, our heritage and precious environment, 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.
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.
Other Organisations
The Society engages with a variety of other organisations who share our interests and we share their links for information. We are also include links to Guildford Borough Council and other Government bodies and Developers of key sites. Finally we include other links of interest that are related to the borough.