Established in 1975, the national heritage campaign organisation SAVE Britain’s Heritage has been fighting to protect Britain’s historic buildings, listed or unlisted, against the threat of demolition and neglect for almost 50 years, often through finding new uses for them and taking legal action to prevent needless losses.  

Their conservation officer Ben Dewfield-Oakley will be offering a snapshot of the organisation’s campaign work and what action can be taken when fighting planning battles to protect our historic buildings and places. From Lady Gaga themed marches to imaginative reuse schemes, Ben will be discussing some of strategies which have helped their campaigns succeed in recent years.

He will be in conversation with interior designer and heritage campaigner Guy Oliver, no stranger to local planners. A veteran of campaigns to save historic buildings, he was strongly involved in saving of the great Smithfield General Market. He is going to add his bit about the current state of our planning systems, and the involvement or not of local residents in the pre-application stage of the planning process.

Come and hear what they have to say at Dora House, 108 Old Brompton Road, a building with its own story to tell. Designed originally in 1820 by William Blake as two semi-detached villas, and remodelled in 1885 to provide a grand entrance, Dora House has been home to a court photographer, architects and sculptors. Today it is home to the Royal Society of Sculptors, and has itself recently undergone a major restoration project.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions and we will have a drink afterwards.

Members £20.00, non-members £30.00

Not a member? It’s only £20 for a whole year – and you can become a member immediately by registering and paying here.