Victoria ScheerBBC News, Yorkshire
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Much of the site is currently being used as a depot
Part of a disused plant nursery currently being used as a council depot and for waste collection will be returned to parkland.
Sheffield City Council’s Charity Trustee Sub-Committee has agreed to free up areas of the former Norton Nurseries site in Graves Park, while allowing the authority to continue operating on the rest.
Friends of Graves Park, who have campaigned for years to see the whole site restored to parkland, described it as a “positive step forward” but expressed disappointment that waste operations would continue.
Chair Caroline Dewar said: “This was where the original 17th or 18th Century walled garden for Norton Hall was and it’s being used as a depot and dump – it’s so sad.”
The site currently stores the vehicles and equipment for the council’s parks and countryside department and, according to Friends of Graves Park, rubbish from at least 35 other parks and green spaces across the city.
Following Monday’s decision, the council can continue to use a reduced area within the Norton Nurseries site under a formal five-year licence agreement and with appropriate charges.
Google/Friends of Graves Park
A map created by Friends of Graves Park (FOGP) shows the size of the site
Councillor Richard Williams, chair of the Charity Trustee Sub-Committee, said the decision balanced financial sustainability, operational efficiency and their duty to preserve the park.
“This solution is not just practical, it protects the charity’s interests, ensures the park is maintained to the highest standards, and secures vital funding for improvements, with £6,300 ring-fenced each year for enhancements within Graves Park,” he said.
“We know how much Graves Park means to local families, Friends groups, and residents across Sheffield.
“That’s why we are taking every step with care, listening to your views, and working transparently.”
Friends of Graves Park
The site is currently used to store waste before disposal
A public consultation will take place about the future use of the site.
Once the current licence period ends on 30 November, a new short-term licence will be needed to use the full site for up to 12 more months.
The council could then operate from the smaller base with the five-year licence.
“We are still not happy that they are still going to use it for collecting rubbish and dumping it on there,” said Ms Dewar.
“They don’t see it as a historic heritage site, they see it as a dump.
“It should be treated with respect.”
Friends of Graves Park
One of the other areas has been turned into an arboretum
Friends of Graves Park, who have already completed restoration of two other areas of the nursery site, hope to turn the new section into a woodland garden.
Graves Park was bought for the people of Sheffield by John George Graves and is now owned by a charitable trust, of which Sheffield City Council is sole trustee.
According to the Charities Act 2011, any use of charity-owned land must solely benefit the charity, not the council.
According to Ms Dewar, the council tried to sell the site, which is designated charitable parkland, for a housing estate in 1998 and proposed to build a hospice in 2008 – with both attempts stopped by locals.