Latest news with #GuildfordBoroughCouncil
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Stoke Park paddling pool reopening delayed over unsafe water
Contaminated water has delayed the reopening of a paddling pool in Stoke Park paddling pool was expected to open on Saturday ahead of the half term school final water testing after resurfacing works revealed it was not yet safe to open the facility, according to Guildford Borough McShane, leader of the local authority, apologised to families, adding: "Your safety and your children's safety is our utmost priority." In a video posted on Facebook, McShane explained: "In the last phases of the water testing, we discovered the water has been contaminated..."So we have taken the decision that it isn't safe to open the paddling pool."I'm really sorry, we are all devastated."McShane said the council had "worked so hard" to get the pool resurfaced and the staffing in place for the scheduled opening but said it would look into what had happened and "put things right". Maksim Fedosov, who has a two-year-old child, told BBC Radio Surrey his family used the pool last said: "It's quite disappointing, especially in the hot weather. It's quite useful."Adrian Fuller, 71, said: "When you start getting the good weather it gets very, very busy down there with the kids. It's a very popular thing."It's absolutely choc-a-block in the good weather." The paddling pool, which typically opens annually from May until September, also suffered opening delays in 2024 due to staffing last underwent a refurbishment in 2022.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
New walks created at Guildford's Tyting Farm nature reserve
More than a mile of new pathway has been created at a nature reserve in Surrey as work to restore chalk grassland and remove invasive species Borough Council says the restoration work at Tyting Farm will help the authority to achieve its "net zero by 2030" are also new signs at the nature reserve to guide visitors along scenic walks in the surrounding Surrey Potter, lead councillor for environment and climate change, said: "Our parks and countryside teams deserve great praise for their work in making our green spaces enjoyable for visitors, improving local habitats and protecting the environment." Tyting Farm was bought by the council in 1942 but was taken over by the War Department and used as a training school for the government's secret Special Operations Executive during World War cattle graze at the farm and the council is undertaking an extensive project of work to increase have used traditional methods to boost connectivity around the site for wildlife and provide nesting space for Potter said: "As we combat the effects of climate change in Guildford, it's important we look after our parks and green spaces. Our aim is to be Net Zero by 2030 and projects like this one support that target."I hope residents will head to Tyting Farm and enjoy the walks on offer."
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans for new homes near railway line approved
Plans for 68 new homes near a Surrey railway line have been given the green light after fears over the location of a planned children's playground were resolved. The four hectare site at Foreman Road, Ash, currently used as a construction site, was brought to Guildford Borough Council's planning committee in March, but a decision was deferred. Councillors were worried about putting a play area near a railway line and road, so arranged another site visit before making a decision, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. About 0.7 hectares of public open space will also be carved out for the new residents by Foreman Road. Developers Persimmon Homes said 40% of the houses would be affordable. The majority will be one, two and three bedroom homes, with six having four bedrooms, according to the planning documents. Plans also include 142 car parking spaces. The plans were approved on Wednesday for the site, which is just south of the Ash road bridge. Councillors previously raised concerns about putting a playground for young children next to a railway line with trains "hurtling down the track at 120 miles an hour". But at Wednesday's meeting, councillor Joanna Shaw said she was "totally satisfied" with what she had seen on the development site trip and her "mind has been put at rest". She said: "There are plenty of homes with gardens back on to railway lines." No concerns were raised by Network Rail, Environmental Health or any of the legal consultees, documents stated. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Views sought on major housing proposal Call made for paperwork for new bridge amid delays New bridge name announced after public nominations Local Democracy Reporting Service
BBC News
27-04-2025
- BBC News
Arrest made amid graffiti 'surge' in Woking and Guildford
An arrest has been made as police investigate a "significant surge" in graffiti in two Surrey said a 19-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage to council property and since bailed as as officers continued their recent weeks, there were multiple reports of graffiti in both Woking and Guildford with the tag Wormy, Surrey Police force said it had identified at least 64 separate instances of graffiti across the two towns, "marking a significant surge in property damage". A Neighbourhood Policing Team for Guildford spokesperson said: "We understand that criminal damage such as graffiti can impact the local community and damage the surroundings."Guildford Borough Council previously appealed for the public's help to "keep our streets clean and safe" and said Crimestoppers was offering a £1,000 reward for information about Wormy.
BBC News
27-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guildford families in need to receive household appliances
Families in need in part of Surrey are set to receive household appliances thanks to donations from a council's construction which helped build Chester Bridge in Ash, has donated white goods including fridge freezers and appliances had been used in site cabins during the development of the Morson, Guildford Borough Council's lead councillor for community services, said: "We're grateful to the team for working with us to support those residents who are particularly impacted by the cost of living." The goods will be distributed by the council's community wellbeing team to people referred to them for Fanawopo, social value and stakeholder manager at VolkerFitzpatrick, said: "I'm proud to share the significant contributions we've made to the Ash community over the past 18 months. "Collectively, these efforts have amounted to a social value contribution of £13m - just over £5m of this went to the local community."VolkerFitzpatrick's team and their partners had also organised Christmas toy drives, provided Christmas trees, made Easter donations and contributed to fundraising for a local scout hut.
