It is with regret that we must report that the sale of Cobnar Cottage went through at auction at the end of January 2016, despite our best efforts to prevent this. The Friends have now engaged a solicitor and barrister, as it now appears fundamental that we obtain a Declaration of the meaning of the 2009 Scheme, so that we can prevent further areas of the park from being sold off. The fact remains that both in open correspondence and via a newspaper article that appeared in the Star on 8th April 2016, the Council purport that “Cobnar Cottage is outside the park”. They also tried to justify their decision by maintaining that it was not required for the public enjoyment of Graves Park due to its deterioration. These justifications are not borne out. Legal documentation shows that Cobnar Cottage was part of the 2009 Scheme and that there is no reasonable excuse for it to be sold. Without seeking a Declaration of the Scheme and considering whether it is appropriate to have Trustees who are independent of the Council’s cabinet, this could happen again in the future. The Friends believe that the “success”, by Sheffield City Council, to sell Cobnar Cottage, could soon be followed by further attempts to sell off part of the park. In an article in The Sheffield Telegraph the Council states “…the Council has not ruled out converting further ‘liabilities’, similar to the cottage, into investments which can be used specifically for park maintenance”. We have contacted the Council and the Charity Commission and have sought clarification with regard to the Council’s initial response, as they refuse to acknowledge any of our concerns or their wrongdoing with regard to the Scheme. As soon as this clarification has been sought we will be launching our campaign to protect the park as we consider this is the only way forward.

Source: Caroline Dewar Petition update · Sale of Parkland Latest · Change.org