Securing Bishops House

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Bishops’ House in Meersbrook Park is over 500 years old; it has survived the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution and two World Wars. However its future could be in doubt, local residents fear that the property will be destroyed by vandalism. They approached local MP Meg Munn and asked her to intervene.

 

Meg commented:

 

‘I made a site visit following requests from local residents to see the problem for myself. Following further discussions it became clear that there was confusion over who should fund security on the site. I organised a round table meeting with all those concerned with the property to discuss the situation.

 

Residents said they would like a fence around the House to protect it. This was unanimously agreed by local Councillors, the Director of Culture at Sheffield City Council and the Cabinet Member for Culture, who all attended the meeting.

 

I was able to advise those there that Councillor Julie Dore of the Park/Heeley Area Panel had told me that they had decided to provide some funding for the fencing.

 

Further work will now be required to plan a scheme and identify further funding.’

 

For more information on Bishops House visit www.sheffieldgalleries.org.uk