Local Liberal Democrats have put a halt to a plan by Labour politicians to sell off land in Sheffield’s Graves Park.

Last week, Labour bosses on Sheffield City Council agreed to sell-off Cobnar Road Cottage, which sits within Sheffield’s largest park, Graves Park. Local campaigners are protesting the decision to sell off Sheffield’s park land to the highest bidder.

However, Liberal Democrats have now “called-in” the proposal, meaning the decision cannot be implemented until further consultation is undertaken with councillors and the community. Campaigners also intend to take the protest to the Charity Commission if the Council fails to listen.

Cllr Ian Auckland and Nick Williams outside of Cobnar Road Cottage

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

“Once again Labour bosses are trying to sell-off land in Graves Park, given to the people of Sheffield to enjoy forever. This proposal sets a hugely damaging precedent and could mark a return to the discredited policies of the past. We have been here before, and further sell-offs could follow, under the guise of investment!

“The neglect of the cottage could have cost the park charity well over £100,000. I really do have to question if the current management arrangements are in the best interests of the park and users.

“I have been fighting Labour proposals to build on our park for the best part of fifteen years and I do not intend to cease that now. The Council have a moral responsibility to maintain the park – not sell bits of it off to the highest bidder.”

Nick Williams, a concerned local resident and member of Friends of Graves Park, said:

“We are very upset to hear that once again the council appears to be attempting to dispose of assets that belong to the Graves Park Charity. The council have attempted this several times before, most notably with the sale of Chantry Cottage, which was subsequently ruled an illegal sale.

“It is disappointing to find the council once more acting as trustees of the charity whilst ignoring their duty to act in the charity’s interest. The claims that the building is in a state of neglect may well be true, but it is through their neglect that we arrive at that position.

“Hopefully the council will back away from the disposal plans before they waste yet more money acting against the interests of a charity of which they are supposed to be trustees.”