Residents launch bid to save listed park mansion

A campaign has been launched to secure the future of an 18th Century mansion in a Sheffield park and bring it back into use.

Grade II-listed Meersbrook Hall in Meersbrook Park was used as the Ruskin Museum for more than 60 years, but has fallen into disrepair since its closure in 1953 and the departure of subsequent occupants, the council parks department, a decade ago.

The building is still owned by Sheffield City Council, who have granted the Friends of Meersbrook Hall an access licence for activities over the next two months.

The group's chair, Mark Cordle, said the building is a "significant heritage and "cultural asset" and has asked the public to say how they would like it to be used.

The hall was originally built as a family home before the estate was bought by the Sheffield Corporation and turned into Meersbrook Park in 1887.

It housed the Ruskin Museum from 1890 to 1953, showcasing the collection of celebrated Victorian writer and art and nature lover John Ruskin, before its conversion into council offices.

Heeley Trust, a Sheffield-based community organisation, moved into the building in 2016 but plans to use the space as a public facility fell through and the hall was closed.

Local residents had hoped that the building could be transformed into a special school but last year Sheffield City Council said it would be too expensive.

Cordle said the group began negotiating with the council in May to talk about "enabling" them to enter the building.

"We can now begin developing a plan for how we might reopen the building to the community.

"We want to see this hall developed as thriving centre for the arts, education, health and social enterprise and as a place which meets community needs," he said.

The Friends group now has a committee of 13 local members and although they are unsure of the full cost to reopen the building permanently, they believe the next few weeks will shape their plans.

Amanda Hill, the co-secretary, said: "It's just quietly standing there getting more and more decrepit.

"It's a large building with many rooms and many facets to it. So it will have to be restored sympathetically to its era.

"There's some work to be done on the roof and problems with moss and mould."

The Friends are now appealing for volunteers to get involved in a clean-up weekend in the hall on 4-6 September, and free tours of the building will take place on 11 and 18 September.

There will also be a community picnic outside the hall on 13 September, with live entertainment.

A council spokesperson said, "We are working closely with the Friends of Meersbrook Hall group, local councillors and residents to explore potential ideas and proposals for the future use of the historic Meersbrook Hall.

"We welcome the enthusiasm and commitment of the community and the fundraising being led by the Friends group to help develop their plans and better understand the building's long-term potential."

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