News

In October we received our first application relating to a listed building to be demolished for HS2. This was a Grade II listed farm near Banbury. Unfortunately, under the High Speed Rail Act 2017, which modified the controls related to listed buildings, we have little or no scope for objection. We deeply regret the demolitions necessitated by the construction of HS2.

A former chapel, a 20^th century post office, a Victorian home, the site of a ginger-beer making business and the home of a relic.

Now a peaceful wooded gorge, Lumsdale near Matlock in Derbyshire was once a hive of industry, harnessing the power of the falling water. Since the 1930s the site has become a romantic ruin, and is now cared for by local volunteers like Alan and Christine, who have published a history of this unique place.

Our Philip Webb Award recognises design that sympathetically revitalises a historic building for a new use. This year's winning scheme to reimagine disused buildings in Nottingham city into an arts centre was by Jess Tyson.

The cost of the High Speed 2 rail link on our built environment.

Renting and unsure how and if you can carry out building maintenance? We’ve put together some tips for renters who’d like to do more maintenance to look after their home.

Our John Betjeman Award for excellence in conservation at places of worship celebrates its 30th year. The 2020 winner is Tenterden Methodist Church, Kent for the exemplary repair of a war memorial pipe organ.

Checklists and video guides to help you look after faith buildings, from the SPAB, the National Churches Trust and Historic England for National Maintenance Week

Our award for excellence in conservation at places of worship of all denominations and faiths drew a range of impressive entries in the England & Wales category. We were especially pleased to see the United Reformed Church, and Methodist buildings, represented this year.

The SPAB is run with the help of a great many passionate and committed volunteers. With our annual Guardians elections looming in mid-November, we thought it a good time to explain how the SPAB is structured and celebrate the role of our volunteers who serve on our committees.