9 September 2010 Last updated at 05:42 ET

Sheffield City Council votes against playing field sale

Councillors in Sheffield have reversed their decision to sell playing fields in the city, after huge public opposition to the plan.

The city council had proposed to sell the land at Waterthorpe Greenway for shop and office use.

But the move led to a campaign by residents who wanted the greenbelt land to remain.

The council's cabinet voted unanimously in favour of retaining the land at a meeting on Wednesday.

The decision was made after a public consultation which found the majority of people did not want the sale.

A subsequent report to the council recommended that the decision to sell the site was reversed.

Councillor Gail Smith, whose Mosborough ward includes the playing fields, said: "The feedback came back loud and clear that local people didn't want the green fields to be sold off.

"Liberal Democrats had already given the assurance that we would listen to local residents, therefore I'm delighted that the decision at cabinet reflected this."