BOSSES at St Luke's Hospice in Sheffield are considering an alternative site for their planned new centre – but are keeping tight-lipped on where it is.
Following discussions with council leaders, hospice management have agreed to examine whether the unnamed site could be suitable for their needs.
The development is further evidence that the hospice has now given up hopes of moving to its preferre
d site in Graves Park.
In a joint statement, the authority and the hospice said: "Coun Paul Scriven, leader of Sheffield Council, and some of his cabinet colleagues met with trustees of St Luke's Hospice to discuss whether an alternative site for the hospice can be found.
"The meeting made good progress and the trustees of St Luke's are now considering whether a particular alternative site will be suitable. We will meet again in seven days to conclude the discussion about this alternative site."
Both sides added they would not be making any further statement before next week's meeting.
Despite the council and hospice leaders keeping the location of the suggested site under wraps, Norton Aerodrome has been suggested in the past as an alternative.
St Luke's had wanted to use the Norton Nurseries site in a corner of Graves Park and fought a high-profile public campaign to win public acceptance for the move.
But the suggestion divided with city, with many people passionately arguing that parkland should never be developed.
The move was finally scuppered when the Lib Dems took control of Sheffield Town Hall and announced they would not sanction it.
Councillors are custodians of Graves Park and Town Hall permission would have been needed for Norton Nurseries to be handed over to St Luke's.
St Luke's is currently based in Whirlow Lane, Whirlow, but believes its present location is no longer suitable.
It wants to build a more modern facility where it can provide more spacious rooms with en-suite bathrooms and other amenities.
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