“Favoured Areas” Council branded hypocrites in historic building battle

Photo: Lib Dem campaigners, Cllr Ian Auckland, Steve Ayris and Richard Shaw fighting to protect Graves Park

Sheffield City Council have faced further criticism by park campaigners, who are fighting to save a historic building in Graves Park.

Campaigners have attacked the Council as they look set to agree plans to refurbish the historic Abbeyfield House in Abbeyfield Park, while continuing with plans to sell off Cobnar Cottage in Graves Park.

The Council unveiled plans this summer to sell off Cobnar Cottage, which is owned by the Graves Park charity, claiming it would cost too much to refurbish.

However, in plans agreed by the Council’s Cabinet last week (Wed 18^th Sep.), a £187,500 refurbishment budget was agreed for Abbeyfield House, which sits within the Labour Party’s well-known ‘favoured areas’.

Plans to sell off Cobnar Cottage remain on hold having been ‘called in’ by opposition Liberal Democrat councillors and are due to be re-visited by the Council’s Scrutiny Board on 4th October.

Meanwhile, local Lib Dem campaigner, Steve Ayris, and the local Lib Dem team have launched and on-line petition.

Cllr Ian Auckland, local Liberal Democrat councillor for Graves Park, said:

“When Labour councillors tried to force through plans to sell off this land, they claimed money was not available to refurbish the historic cottage. However, this latest news demonstrates that it’s one rule for Labour’s favoured areas and quite another rule for everyone else.

“It’s been clear from the past two years that our area has been neglected by the Labour Council. Graves Park was gifted to the people of Sheffield to enjoy forever. Labour’s plan to sell-off the land sets a hugely damaging precedent.”

SIGN THE PETITION NOW

TO PROTECT GRAVES PARK!