Graves Park cottage is sold despite years of campaigning

A historic cottage in Graves Park has been sold for £150,000 '“ despite years of campaigning to save it.
Friends of Graves Park members and supporters of the petition outside the cottage in Graves Park which they are trying to save. Picture: Andrew RoeFriends of Graves Park members and supporters of the petition outside the cottage in Graves Park which they are trying to save. Picture: Andrew Roe
Friends of Graves Park members and supporters of the petition outside the cottage in Graves Park which they are trying to save. Picture: Andrew Roe

Sheffield Council sold 17th century Cobnar Cottage, on Cobnar Road, Norton Lees, at an auction yesterday.

But campaigners who fought to save the property have vowed that ‘this will not be the end’.

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Caroline Dewar, chair of Friends of Graves Park, said: “We are hoping to get a permanent injunction to stop the council selling even more park land. Our barristers are working to prove this sale was illegal too.”

She added: “It is a great shame, though.”

Caroline said she will be attending a Sheffield Council meeting next week to present a petition signed by more than 13,000 residents. She said the campaign has raised around £4,000 in donations in just over a week, which will go towards legal bills.

Caroline said: “This is not the end. We will continue to fight this.”

A spokesman for Sheffield Council said: “We are pleased that we are now able to invest £150,000 in improving facilities in Graves Park.

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“The cottage has never formed part of the public amenity of the park – it sits outside the boundary wall and has stood empty for many years.

“The council, with the acknowledgement of the Charity Commission, felt that the sale and restoration of the cottage and the investment of the proceeds was a win-win for Graves Park. We also knew from asking over 400 park users, that they agreed with us.”