CLASP Buildings of Nottinghamshire

A building system developed in Notts

CLASP (Consortium of Local Authorities Special Programme) is a method of building construction based around a light steel frame, working to a set module.

It was based on a system first used in Hertfordshire schools, but in 1955 was adopted and developed in Nottinghamshire, becoming widely used throughout the 1960s.

The County Architect for Nottinghamshire County Council, H. T. Swain, adopted the system for a cost-effective means of erecting community schools, (as recommended by the DES), although it soon became used for many other purposes.

Toothill Comprehensive School at Bingham (1964-68) became the county's first major foray into CLASP construction.  A second was at Cavendish Comprehensive School, Coningswath Road, Carlton (1968-72), again by H. T. Swain, which combined a school with community sports facilities.

Examples of CLASP construction in Nottinghamshire include

Beeston Library extension (1960s, renovated 2017) 

Bingham public Library

Cavendish Comprehensive School, Coningswath Road, Carlton

Edwinstowe public library

Mansfield Woodhouse Library

Newark public Library (1988 - CLASP system adapted by using glass panels rather than concrete)

Ollerton public Library

Orchard School, Appletongate, Newark.

Nottingham: County Hall: Extension buildings (Demolished 2016)

Toothill Comprehensive School, Bingham