2,160 homes proposed for Hook in one of areas 'largest ever' planned development

• Developers have submitted a planning application to build 2,160 homes and a new school on land west of the village

Today in Guildford, Woking and west Surrey commuter belt

Conditions in your area this morning.

The local news that matters this morning

Here's the local news from the past 24 hours, made easy to digest.

SurreyLive — Surrey News · today Frimley Park Hospital's proposed new location condemned as 'unsafe' in statement signed by 20 headteachers and CEOs • They argue a regional hospital on this site will create dangerous conditions for their students

SurreyLive — Surrey News · today Field that has hosted Surrey bonfire night for 42 years could see 100 homes built • Plans have been put forward for 100 homes and a new leisure centre

SurreyLive — Surrey Police · today Man jailed for 22 years for sexual offences against 5-year-old girl • The victim read her victim impact statement in Guildford Crown Court, addressing her abuser

University of Surrey news RSS feed · today Surrey Professor Annabelle Gawer wins prestigious 2026 strategy award for scholarly impact on practice • Surrey Professor Annabelle Gawer wins prestigious 2026 strategy award for scholarly impact on practice gm0033 Tue, 28/07/2026 - 10:00 Press release Research that has shaped how the world's biggest technology companies build and run digital platforms has earned Professor Annabelle Gawer one of the strategy profession's most coveted awards for turning academic work into practice. • Professor Gawer Professor Gawer, Director of the Centre of Digital Economy (CoDE) at Surrey Business School, has won the 2026 CK Prahalad Award for Scholarly Impact on Practice from the Strategic Management Society (SMS). • The SMS created this accolade to celebrate exceptional scholars whose research fundamentally bridges the gap between management theory and everyday business practice.

SurreyLive — Guildford · today Man who exposed himself to 'lone women' on Guildford train jailed • He exposed himself to two different women on the same train from Guildford to Farnham

SurreyLive — Guildford · today RAAC-ridden Surrey school sports hall to be replaced with new modern facility • The current facility has been branded "unsafe and obsolete"

SurreyLive — Surrey Police · today Police cordon off Surrey high-street after man found in critical condition • The man was taken to hospital in a critical condition while officers tried to work out his identity and inform his next of kin

SurreyLive — Surrey Police · today Two Surrey schools and nursery were placed in lockdown as armed police called to incident • Two teenagers have been arrested after armed police were called to near the schools

University of Surrey news RSS feed · today Commentary: Could Andy Burnham shift the tax burden from earnings to wealth? • Commentary: Could Andy Burnham shift the tax burden from earnings to wealth? gm0033 Tue, 28/07/2026 - 15:57 Press release The following expert comment below was written by Gavin Midgley, Senior Lecturer in Accounting at the University of Surrey, regarding the the tax changes we could see under Prime Minister Andy Burnham. • Gavin Midgley “Burnham has offered little detail on tax policy, having never served as Chancellor or Shadow Chancellor. • However, he has favoured shifting the burden from income towards wealth.

University of Surrey news RSS feed · today Commentary: OpenAI cyber incident highlights need for stronger AI safeguards • Commentary: OpenAI cyber incident highlights need for stronger AI safeguards vb0027 Thu, 23/07/2026 - 13:37 Press release Following reports that OpenAI's advanced AI models hacked into AI platform Hugging Face during internal testing, Dr Daniel Gardham, Lecturer at the University of Surrey's Centre for Cyber Security, shares his thoughts on why the incident represents an important moment for AI safety and cybersecurity. • Credit: Getty Images Dr Daniel Gardham "This incident marks an important turning point for cybersecurity rather than evidence of autonomous malicious intent. • It highlights a familiar principle: AI systems optimise for objectives and will exploit unintended pathways if safeguards are not robust enough.

SurreyLive — Woking · today 329 Woking council homes fail minimum safety, maintenance, or serious damp and mould standards • Some homes have problems with serious damp and mould

SurreyLive — Guildford · today Guildford says it's monitoring Strait of Hormuz crisis 'closely' to mitigate potential economic risks • The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has caused a steep rise in energy prices for Surrey councils

SurreyLive — Woking · today Former Tottenham, West Ham and Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe eyes legal action after Woking statement • Former England man in war of words with non-league side after quitting as manager

SurreyLive — Woking · today Stepmother of murdered Woking schoolgirl Sara Sharif wants inquest to be held with jury • Sara was found dead in a bunkbed at the family home in Surrey

What's on: next 14 days

A quick-view of 8 public listings happening across Guildford over the next 14 days. Tap any item for the source and full details.

Wed 29 Jul · Experience Guildford BID events. Sunflower café Guildford Reformed Church

Thu 30 Jul · Experience Guildford BID events. Bowling for Mental Wellbeing Guildford Spectrum

Fri 31 Jul · Experience Guildford BID events. Prehistory in Your Hands at Guildford Museum Guildford Museum

Fri 31 Jul · Experience Guildford BID events. Suds & Scents: Soap-Making Workshop 12yrs+ Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Tue 4 Aug · Visit Surrey - Guildford events. Guildford Guildhall Open Day - Tuesday 4 August 2026

Sat 8 Aug · Visit Surrey - Guildford events. Midnight Manor A Sleepover - 8 August | West Horsley Place

Mon 3 Aug · Yvonne Arnaud Theatre what's on. Family Circus Workshop Mon 3 Aug 2026 - Mon 3 Aug 2026 Roll up, roll up! Come and experience the thrill of the circus with Circus Brighton

Tue 4 Aug · Yvonne Arnaud Theatre what's on. It’s Not a Game - Starring award-winning Illusionists Jay & Joss Tue 4 Aug 2026

Resident pulse

One weekly reader question. This same poll runs all week; vote below. We publish the result each Monday, then start the next question.

Three local picks

Three rotating Guildford and west Surrey book and product searches on Amazon UK.

As an Amazon Associate, qualifying purchases may earn commission once affiliate links are live.

Did you know? · Guildford

Surrey County Cricket Club has staged its summer Guildford Cricket Festival at the Woodbridge Road ground since first playing there in 1938, when they beat Hampshire. Source →