A petition to Sheffield City Council to stop the sale of Cobnar Cottage in Graves Park has already gathered 12,000 signatures. The sale is scheduled for 26th January.

Cllr. Ian Auckland, Liberal Democrat councillor for Graves Park ward, asked Cabinet Member Sioned Mair Richards, if she would consider delaying the sale in order for the petition to be debated but was refused.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Ian Auckland for Graves Park Ward said

”
It is completely wrong to press ahead with the sale in the face of such massive public opposition. It is in insult to those people who have signed the petition not to at least delay the sale until after February so we can have a proper debate in council. This is an issue that clearly matters to the Sheffield public.
”
The building is within the bounds of Graves Park, which was gifted to the people of Sheffield by alderman J.G Graves in 1925 for public use as a park in perpetuity.

What concerns us mostly is that this will set a principle. What other parks across the city are likely to lose tracts of land so the Council can sell the land for development?

Add your name to the petition here.