CONTROVERSIAL plans by St Luke's Hospice to relocate to Norton Nurseries could be at an end after the new ruling Lib Dems announced they will not approve them.
Coun Paul Scriven - who will next week become the Leader of Sheffield Council - today put the political brakes on the proposal to build a new cancer hospice next to Graves Park.
The Lib Dems say they are sticking to their local election pledge to
oppose the plans and preserve the city's parkland.
What do you think? Add your comment below.Coun Scriven said: "It is obvious there remains strong opposition to St Luke's moving to Norton Nurseries.
"My party made it clear at the local elections that we support that opposition, as we believe in protecting our local parks."
But he added: "However, we also support the first class service St Luke's provides to the people of Sheffield, and we want to see St Luke's develop and flourish.
"Therefore, within two weeks of becoming Leader of the council, I will invite St Luke's to join me in a high level discussion both to clear the air and to find a way forward that does not involve the Norton Nurseries site. The relocation plans have divided the city.
Opponents - including Labour MP Meg Munn - say Graves Park was given to the people of Sheffield by former Lord Mayor and charitable benefactor JG Graves and should not be built upon by anyone.
But last month bosses at St Luke's said more than 15,000 people had signed a petition supporting the proposed move.
They believe the site is ideal for a new hospice, with spacious mainly single rooms for patients, and more resources than they can provide at their present Whirlow site.
Supporters of the move say each room would have access to extensive gardens so patients and their families could enjoy the outdoors, and that the Norton Nurseries site would be renovated and opened up to the public.
A spokeswoman for St Luke's Hospice welcomed Coun Scriven's comments and said: "We note his intention to formally invite us to join in discussions about the future of the hospice."
But she added: "We've made an application to the council, as trustees of the land, for permission to create a world class centre of excellence for palliative care for Sheffield on the Norton Nurseries site.
"The Charity Commission has been consulted throughout the process and has confirmed our application is appropriate.
"We, like more than 15,000 who have signed petitions, sill strongly believe Norton Nurseries is the best site for a new St Luke's Hospice for the city."
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