The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

SPAB
37 Spital Square
LONDON
E1 6DY

T: 020 7377 1644
F: 020 7247 5296
E: info@spab.org.uk

Charity No. 111 3753

Company No.  5743962

VAT No. 577 4276 02

 

We play a formal part in the planning system and, under the Town and Country Planning Act, must be notified of all applications to demolish or partly demolish listed buildings in England and Wales. In this area of our work we tend to concentrate on earlier buildings and should also be consulted on major works to cathedrals and churches. Every year we take up a number of cases and, where necessary, we fight them at public enquiry or in church courts. Where we hear of listed buildings at risk we try to secure repair.

 

Our technical staff answer hundreds of enquiries on every aspect of repairing old buildings. While promoting the use of traditional materials and skills we keep up with current technical issues, regulations and materials which may have both positive and negative implications when applied to old buildings. 

 

Many of the most famous buildings in Britain are cared for by some of the several thousand people who have received SPAB training. A unique annual scholarship training programme has been run since 1930 for young architects, building surveyors and structural engineers, while the William Morris Craft Fellowship provides advanced training for historic building craftsmen. Shorter courses are run for both professionals and owners.

 

Architectural students are encouraged in design and conservation projects by the Philip Webb Award.

 

Our acknowledged expertise has helped shape attitudes to historic buildings both in Britain and abroad. We work with our partners in the conservation world here and within the EU in monitoring legislation and campaigning to protect our built heritage.

 

Our highly regarded technical publications give practical guidance on the repair and care of old buildings, while Cornerstone, our magazine for members, contains a mixture of general and technical articles. Many other publications are stocked by the SPAB bookshop.

 

We run events for members including lectures and visits to historic towns and buildings not generally open to the public. In the same way, our Regional Groups provide a unique insight into the buildings, materials and traditions of their area.

 

A separate section within the Society is devoted to saving historic mills and has its own membership, application form and young people’s section.

 

SPAB in Scotland carries on the Society’s work north of the border and arranges special events.