Building 9,600 homes in Runnymede must not prevent area being a 'green and wonderful place'

• Runnymede Borough Council's local plan will determine where and how it will meet its housing targets

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 — Guildford · today Plans for 140 homes on Surrey village green belt land set to be decided • The area has "exceeded its capacity to absorb additional housing" according to residents with thousands already under construction

SurreyLive — Surrey News · 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

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 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 Rapid bacterial community profiling of equine microbiomes using Oxford Nanopore sequencing • Rapid bacterial community profiling of equine microbiomes using Oxford Nanopore sequencing kj0008 Tue, 21/07/2026 - 15:14 News Members of the Horse Microbiome Research Group have recently published a new study in the Journal of Medical Microbiology led by Dr Joy Leng, who is currently undertaking the Alborada Well Foal 2 project. • This research aims to understand how the foal gut microbiome develops by investigating the microbiomes of mares and their foals. • Using samples collected during a pilot study, the team successfully profiled the bacterial communities present in equine faeces, saliva, skin and milk by sequencing the full-length 16S rRNA gene with Oxford Nanopore technology.

University of Surrey news RSS feed · today Scrolling differently: how body positive and humorous content can shape body image • Scrolling differently: how body positive and humorous content can shape body image kj0008 Wed, 22/07/2026 - 12:07 News Social media is often blamed for worsening body image, particularly among young people. • Platforms like Instagram and TikTok expose users to highly curated, idealised, and sexualised images that encourage constant appearance comparisons. • But is social media always harmful?

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 — Surrey Police · today Surrey Police officer given restraining order after hiding tracker in woman's car • The device was found wrapped up in black tape and hidden in the wheel well in the boot of the victim’s car.

SurreyLive — Surrey Police · today Surrey car thief crashes stolen Mercedes in police chase • PC Duncan Mackenzie who led the investigation said: "What began as officers stopping a vehicle quickly exposed a much wider picture of organised vehicle theft."

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

SurreyLive — Surrey News · today 'Ugly, obstructive and unnecessary' communications kiosk with defibrillator and screen refused Surrey planning permission • The plans were labelled 'ugly, obstructive and unnecessary'

What's on: next 14 days

A quick-view of 7 public listings happening across Guildford over the next 14 days. Tap any item for the source and full details.

Tue 28 Jul · Experience Guildford BID events. 9 to 5 The Musical Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

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 1 Aug · Visit Surrey - Guildford events. Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Saturday 1 August 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.

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Did you know? · Guildford

Fire-engine maker Dennis Brothers started in Guildford in 1895 selling bicycles, built its first fire engine in 1908, and the last Dennis fire engine left the town in 2007. Source →