Concealed behind its high stone walls, the garden at Ashdell, in Broomhill,
is one of Victorian Sheffield's greatest treasures. As the city has grown and
developed around it, Ashdell has remained remarkably unchanged for nearly 150
years. Now, this green oasis of tranquillity is itself under threat. The
University of Sheffield, which uses Ashdell as an annexe to Stephenson Hall of
Residence, wants to raise funds by selling both the Grade II listed house and
its garden. At the same time, plans for new development within the grounds
have been submitted to the City Council and if the University has its way,
Ashdell's picturesque sunken lawn and specimen beech tree will disappear,
making way for a four-bedroomed house and double garage.
Stephenson Hall resident and town planning research student Graham Soult is
spearheading the local opposition.
"The proposed development of Ashdell is the thin end of the wedge.
Broomhill residents have seen the areaās open spaces disappear one by one -
indeed, without the input of local people, and groups such as BANG, even
more land would have been lost to development. Now, with nowhere else left
to build, the University is trying to sell off the family silver for short term
profit.
"An institution of this size and importance should be a guardian of the local
heritage; instead, it seems that no site is too small or of too much importance
to be built upon. Ashdell lies within the Broomhill Conservation Area, is a
listed building, and all the planning law and government guidance suggests that
the proposed scheme should be thrown out.
"But it raises wider issues about the University's policy, in even considering
building here in the first place; and it emphasises the importance of local
communities in Sheffield being aware of the heritage on their doorstep,
and standing up for it.
"Just as Broomhill was recognised by John Betjeman as one of Britainās most
beautiful suburbs, Ashdell is one of the city's most important and intact
Victorian gardens. Even the City Council has recognised this, listing Ashdell
in its report, 'Sheffield's Historic Parks & Gardens', only last year".
A long-time advocate of building and garden conservation, Graham is
determined to safeguard Ashdell's long-term future, and to raise people's
awareness of unsuitable new developments.
"We have come a long way since the 1960s, when no amount of history could
stand in the way of 'progress'. Yet even today, our heritage is being
whittled away, bit by bit".
Graham has enlisted the help of English Heritage, who have suggested that
Ashdell may be eligible for inclusion on their national Register of Parks and
Gardens, and has also set up a website at
http://www.soult.com/ashdell/
The best way to protect our heritage is to raise people's awareness of it.
The more people who know about Ashdell, the more likely it is to have a
secure future. It would be splendid, for example, if the University could
open the garden to the public once in a while - it is the least local people
deserve. Quite rightly, Broomhill residents often accuse the University of
secrecy, and of being reluctant to reveal its true development intentions,
and a spot of PR certainly wouldn't go amiss now and again.
"I am very keen to use Ashdell as an example of the threats and difficulties
faced by a historic garden. In particular, I would like to write a book or
article, telling the story of the house and garden from 1850 to the present
day. I'm sure that many local people have memories of how Ashdell used to be,
and I would love to hear from anyone with old stories or photographs that
they can share".
Graham is about to begin a PhD at the University of Newcastle - appropriately
entitled 'Competing Conceptions of Design and Development' - and is relishing
the prospect of future campaigns.
"Everywhere you turn, wonderful buildings and gardens are being lost.
But if enough people make their opinions and expertise felt, there is no limit
to what can be achieved. For the moment though, I won't rest until the
gardens at Ashdell are saved - hopefully for another 150 years".
Anyone who would like to share their memories of Ashdell can telephone
Graham Soult on XXXX.
