Protecting our Victorian & Edwardian heritage
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Victorian Society urges councils and owners to protect their historic buildings after a spate of arson attacks
Following yet another major blaze at a listed building, pressure mounts on councils to do more to protect our precious historic buildings. The Victorian Society warns councils that we face losing many more important buildings to arson unless urgent action is taken to secure them properly.
Victorian Society condemns needless destruction of historic Birmingham police station
A characterful Victorian police station in Birmingham imminently faces the wrecking ball. The historic structure, built by prominent architects, is deemed ‘inconvenient’ - standing in the way of a road-widening scheme.
Partial demolition plans for St Joseph's in Preston recommended for approval
Plans to tear down parts of the Grade II-listed gothic orphanage in Preston are set to go ahead.
Victorian Society: Coronavirus update
17/03/2020
The Victorian Society is sorry to announce that due to the coronavirus outbreak we are cancelling all of our events until further notice. However, apart from event cancellations, we will be running business as usual and continuing our fight to protect our Victorian buildings.
Victorian Society calls for public inquiry as Bristol faces losing a key part of its waterside heritage
12/03/2020
The Victorian Society requests a public inquiry into the Silverthorne Lane development in a final bid to save an irreplaceable part of Bristol’s industrial heritage.
Victorian Society calls for reuse of Bradford's historic Fountain Hall
27/02/2020
The Victorian Society urge Bradford Council to save the remains of a historic piece of Victorian architecture currently facing demolition.
Birmingham & West Midlands group of the Victorian Society name Smethwick Council House restoration as winner of their 2019 Conservation Award
10/02/2020
The Birmingham & West Midlands group of the Victorian Society have named Sandwell Council as the winners of their 2019 Conservation Award for the restoration of Smethwick Council House.
New chapter for Victorian Society as director announces his departure
The Director of the Victorian Society, Christopher Costelloe, has announced that he will be stepping down after 7 years in the role, to move on to new challenges.
Historic Exeter deserves better
06/02/2020
An incongruously large development planned for Exeter would greatly overshadow the surrounding low-rise historic townscape
Victorian Society winter lecture series
10/01/2020
The Victorian Society launch a series of lectures exploring the imaginative conservation and reuse of historic buildings.
Victorian Society oppose unnecessary loss of Preston’s gothic Victorian orphanage
10/12/2019
A historic Grade II-listed orphanage complex in Preston faces the wrecking ball to make way for a housing development.
Who will protect Sheffield’s historic buildings from circling developers? Victorian Society slams reports of proposal to slash planning department
18/11/2019
The Victorian Society expresses its grave concern over reports that Sheffield City Council intends to cut up to 40 jobs within its planning department, stressing that the repercussions of these cuts could result in the loss of many of the city’s historic buildings.
Victorian Society announce Top 10 Most Endangered Buildings 2019
13/09/2019
Christopher Costelloe, Director of the Victorian Society, said: “This year’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings is a particularly rich mix, with buildings of amazing quality throughout the country facing demolition or ruin. With a great country house, one of the country’s most important industrial complexes, and public buildings at the heart of our cities all on the list, it is vital that we get the public’s help to try to save our threatened heritage.”
Save the historic Watson's Hotel Building
21/06/2019
A key part of Mumbai's heritage is under threat from demolition.
Victorian Society kick start Top 10 Most Endangered Buildings Campaign
21/05/2019
Towering office block would be a shattering blow to Southwark’s industrial heritage
09/04/2019
Proposed high-rise development put forward by the developers of the Shard raises major concerns over the loss of Southwark’s industrial heritage.
The Birmingham & West Midlands group of the Victorian Society donates £2000 to Birmingham Cathedral restoration project
08/04/2019
Funded by event ticket sales, the Birmingham and West Midlands group was able to donate £2000 to the Divine Beauty Appeal, a campaign to restore the stained-glass windows at Birmingham Cathedral.
Save the Still and Star!
21/03/2019
The historic Still & Star pub in Aldgate, dating back to the 1800s, faces demolition with a new bid to replace it with an office block.
Presentation to winner of 2017 Conservation Award
A presentation ceremony has taken place for the winner of the Victorian Society’s 2017 Birmingham & West Midlands Conservation Award, Green Lane Masjid.
Save Conan Doyle’s last building from demolition
The only surviving building designed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle could be demolished for new residential units if a planning application gets consent.
Fight for Bath Abbey pews culminates in Consistory Court hearing
The Consistory Court hearing concerning the permanent removal of Bath Abbey’s pews will commence today.
Irresponsible development razes Tudno Castle Hotel
The Grade II-listed Tudno Castle Hotel in Llandudno is set to be completely demolished after botched planning has left it structurally unstable.
Grade I St Botolph’s to keep chancel fixtures following heritage battle
Much of the Victorian interiors of the chancel of St Botolph’s Church in Longthorpe are to be retained following a protracted legal battle between the parish and The Victorian Society.
Defeat for Bath’s heritage as Abbey pew removal is permitted
The Chancellor of the Diocese of Bath and Wells has granted permission for Bath Abbey to permanently remove its fine nave pews, despite opposition from the Victorian Society.
Not over yet: Victorian Society appeals against Bath Abbey judgement
The Victorian Society have applied for leave to appeal against the recent judgement in favour of removing the nave pews from Bath Abbey.
Save our gasholders! Iconic skyline at The Oval at risk of being lost
A trio of gasholders best known for providing the backdrop to The Oval cricket ground are at risk from a new planning application.
Griff Rhys Jones appointed President of the Victorian Society
The Victorian Society is delighted to announce the appointment of Griff Rhys Jones as its new President.
West Midlands Group 2017 Conservation Award winner announced
The winner of the Victorian Society’s 2017 Birmingham & West Midlands Conservation Award has been named as the former Green Lane Public Library and Baths, now the Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre.