Christmas may be saved as council propose new car park for at risk Sheffield social centre

A social centre which residents feared could permanently close after the council proposed to take away their car park for a £51 million leisure centre development may have been saved.

Users of the Arbourthorne Social Centre said the council were “destroying our community” when local tenants and residents’ association (TARA) were given only a few week’s notice about the loss of a majority of their car parking spaces for two years.

Sheffield City Council had proposed to hand over the current car park spaces to developers of the new Uriah Rennie Leisure Centre, which is set to replace the current Springs Leisure Centre.

Users, many of whom are disabled and elderly, said that this would stop them being able to access the centre as their mobility needs require them to be dropped off at the doorstep.

They were already preparing to cancel their annual Christmas party and feared the centre may “never open again.”

“Once again the elders in the community are going to left out in the cold,” Carol Burrell, who brings her mum weekly, said.

However, at a meeting at the social centre on Wednesday, November 4, it is understood that council officers proposed an alternative which means that the development can still go ahead while maintaining access for users.

It is understood that the council are preparing to turn nearby grass verges into a replacement car park, which would offer the space and accessibility users need.

Councillor Ben Miskell, who had been backing the community’s calls, said after this latest development: “I’m really pleased that we’ve now found a way forward that looks set to protect at least the same number of parking spaces for the TARA, and hopefully create even more after a meeting yesterday with officers and different users of the building.

“When the TARA first approached me about this, they were understandably frustrated. As a local councillor, I see it as my job to listen, find solutions and get things sorted. That’s what I’ve worked hard to do here.

“It was really important to find a solution that allowed the £51 million investment in a new leisure centre for our community to go ahead, while also protecting the fantastic activities that the TARA provides for local people.

“The parking spaces aren’t just a convenience. Many of the people who use the TARA have mobility difficulties and simply wouldn’t be able to attend without them. Protecting that access means protecting the activities, support that so many people rely on.

“While I think there are lessons for the council to learn from how this was handled initially, I’m pleased that, within a week or so of the concerns being raised, council officers have listened, worked constructively with the TARA and found a way forward.”

Councillor Matt Smith added: “ The issue with this case since the very start has been unbelievably poor communication between council officers and both the councillors and residents affected.

“The decision to close the car park would have had huge consequences, and would've led to the ultimate closure of the social centre and TARA once events had ceased throughout the lengthy two year period.

“At the public meeting I chaired on Monday, I was concerned that residents' concerns were still not being taken onboard in full, however I'm thrilled that residents have finally been listened to, and that an alternative solution may have been found.

“We must let this be a learning opportunity, and make sure that residents and vital local groups such as Arbourthorne TARA, along with the elected councillors, are not sidelined in the same way by the council 'machine' in future.

“I stand full square behind Arbourthorne TARA, but the exciting new leisure centre must be built whilst respectfully working with and listening to local groups to minimise disruption, not riding roughshod over them. Overall this is great progress, and I look forward to the building and TARA remaining open throughout the construction period, they are simply too important for the community to lose. “

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