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. We pay close attention to key sites likely to be developed in the borough.
Hot Topics
We have selected our latest or most important news items for you below.
Please see topic areas for other news items.
Guildford Society 2020 Design Awards Winner Interviews View article
We have held a small 'virtual' celebration (21-1-2021) for the winners of our 2020 Design Awards. The virtual celebration was also the occasion that we released the short interviews with the Architect, Developer, or Project Manager... View article
Report on the letters 1 Jan to 30 June 2020 View article
During the period there were a potential 993 planning applications we could have looked at. We sifted through these applications and considered in detail 89 of them. The Group wrote 41 letters to the Head of Planning Services on a wide ra... View article
Guildford Not Meeting its Housing Targets View article
The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (MHCLG) has just published (19-1-2021) its annual report on Housing Delivery Test that monitors local authorities delivery of new houses against plans. Guildford is identified as a borough that needs... View article
Decarbonising our Transport Network View article
Alstom is a leading company in delivering sustainable and smart mobility systems, from high speed trains, regional and suburban trains, undergrounds (metros), trams and e-buses, to integrated systems, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobil... View article
Decision delayed on M25 junction 10 upgrade View article
The Department of Transport has announced that the deadline for the decision on the go ahead for the M25/A3 Junction 10 upgrade has been extended to 12 May 2021 (an extension of 4 months) to enable the Secretary of State to consult further.
The de... View article
Guildford Vulnerable? View article
The national newspapers 14-1-2021 are reporting on a study conducted by the accountancy firm KPMG on the vulnerability of the England’s high streets. KPMG suggest up to 400,000 retail jobs could be lost as a result of more people wor... View article
Develop the Castle? View article
It is unlikly to affect the Castle but the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have been exceptionally busy in the past few months revising Permitted Development Rights. The MHCLG has now issued yet another consultation... View article
Designing for autonomous vehicles View article
A recent article in the Sunday Times (10-1-2021) highlighted a new estate Beaulieu in Chelmsford that is considering how estates are designed without being dominated by the needs of cars and car parking.
The Chelmsford City Council Spat... View article
Guildford Buses - Strategic Thinking Required View article
With the growing population in the Guildford area and environmental pressures it is highly likely the need to promote modal shift will be renewed once we have learned to live with the Corona virus.
The current bus network is centred on Guild... View article
Former Guildford Society Chairman Michael Jeffery Dies View article
The Society was sad to hear that Michael Jeffery a former chairman of the Guildford Society passed away before Christmas, he had been in failing health for the past few months.
Michael was an Architect by profession ultimately being part of ... View article
Topic Areas
Our Posts are categorised by Topic Areas, please use the links below to see all posts available to view. Society news on critical issues and events etc. is available here.
In most cases there is a Society Working Group aligned with a Topic Area(s) that - that look at the preservation and evolution of Guildford more details can be found in the appropriate section.
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.
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.