Group's delight as council put off plan to sell historic site

The authority postponed a decision on the future of Heeley Bank Community Centre following opposition from groups using the building, on Heeley Bank Road.

The Victorian Society, a national organisation which works to preserve architecture from the period, is campaigning to save historic school buildings.

Victorian Society conservation adviser Alex Baldwin said: “We’re delighted that Sheffield Council has taken Heeley Bank Community Centre off the market.

“It is a nationally significant building and a local asset and people clearly value it. Rather than trying to sell it off, the council should be looking at what it can do to repair and maintain the building so that the community can continue to use and enjoy it.”

The former school houses artists’ studios, writers’ groups and an internationally-renowned rock climbing training facility.

Talks have taken place between council officials and users to see how a financially-viable plan can be put together to fund repairs and keep the listed 19th Century facility open.