The fate of Cobnar Cottage fell under the hammer today as Sheffield Labour Council pressed ahead with its auction, despite a 12,400-signature petition opposing the sale.

Graves Park Lib Dem team: Cllr Ian Auckland, Sue Auckland and Cllr Steve Ayris

The historic Cobnar Cottage was today sold at auction for £152,000.

The building, which lies within the bounds of Graves Park, was gifted to the people of Sheffield by Alderman J.G Graves in 1925 for public use as a park in perpetuity.

Both your local Lib Dem team and the Liberal Democrat council group on Sheffield City Council have fought the sale of Cobnar Cottage from the very beginning, calling in the decision to sell the cottage at every possible stage.

Earlier this month, Cllr. Ian Auckland tried to delay the sale so the 12,400-strong petition calling for the sale to be stopped could be properly debated at full council but was refused by Labour Councillor Sioned-Mair Richards. The petition will still be brought to February council and will be debated even though it has been sold.

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Liberal Democrat Councillor Ian Auckland for Graves Park Ward said:

It is a dark day for Sheffield. Part of our cities heritage has been sold off and fallen into private hands.

 Fellow Graves Park Lib Dem councillor Steve Ayris added:

This is absolutely the wrong decision and one I believe the Sheffield Labour Councillors will regret.