A mum-of-two died hours after blasting ‘wicked’ housing plans as actor Sean Bean joined the campaign.
Sapphire McCarthy led the fight against controversial proposals and in a moving video the tireless campaigner, 39, blasting the plans.
It was filmed just hours before her sudden death.
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She organised a packed public meeting in June, returned home afterwards, and tragically passed away the same night.
On Monday (29 Sep), her supporters released the video ahead of a crucial local plan hearing – vowing to continue her mission in her name.
In the clip, filmed just hours before she died, Saph said: “This evening local residents are meeting with our local MP Clive Betts the head of the council Tom Hunt as well as our local councillors to ask questions about the proposed development of 90% of S13s greenbelt.
“It will be ripped away without consideration for thousands of residents’ opinions who have signed our petition against Sheffield City Council, as reported by Need To Know.
“Whilst young professionals in the west of the city are crying out for affordable housing which is not being offered to them because the council has focused 44% of nearly all the greenbelt building in our postcode alone.
“Why should clean air, community boundaries and the chance to enjoy nature and all it has to offer be a privilege of wealthier areas only.
“Unfair doesn’t come close… what we can see today is just a section of people who are against these plans and they believe the council needs to re-consider their half baked plans.”
Her group has since been renamed Save S13 Greenbelt – The Sapphire McCarthy Campaign, with supporters pledging to keep fighting in her honour.
The row exploded after Sheffield City Council proposed two huge housing developments – 868 homes off Bramley Lane and 870 on farmland off Finchwell Lane.
Both sites are treasured greenbelt used by locals in Woodhouse and Stradbroke, and home to a wealth of wildlife.
Actor Bean has also thrown his weight behind the campaign – hailing Saph as a “resistance fighter”.
The Game of Thrones legend, furious at what he branded “wicked” plans, said: “I spoke to Sapphire some months ago and we discussed everything and I just remember her being so passionate and becoming very quickly a kind of ‘resistance fighter’ because of the necessity of someone to be one.
“This city of Sheffield was built on people standing up to things, resistance and not being afraid to speak their mind and Saph was such a person.”
The actor – whose image has been splashed on campaign posters – accused the council of treating S13 unfairly.
He said: “They thought the objections and protests against it wouldn’t be as vociferous as they would be in more affluent other areas of the city like Dore and Totley.
“I suppose a lot of these people – perhaps councillors and developers – live there and they wouldn’t put up with it on their doorstep – they just want to put it ours and we are not putting up with it and we are going to fight back.”
Campaigners say they were “devastated” by the loss of their leader – but have promised to carry on.
A spokesperson said: “We were all absolutely devastated by what happened to our fabulous group leader who understood from the off that this plan is so unfair on the whole community and would see it robbed of 90% of its greenbelt, leaving local communities without boundaries – which is exactly why greenbelt areas were first introduced.
“We pledge to carry forward the mission Saph championed and will ensure her legacy to safeguard S13 will live on.
“We will explain our concerns to the independent Government inspectors.
“We have felt let down from the off that the council had no desire to listen – even the so-called consultation was floored on so many levels.
“Most people were unaware of the plans until we knocked on doors – there were no leaflets or letters sent – the first we knew about it was when a media report came to light.
“It has been completely unfair and yet the council continues to relinquish responsibility for their actions.
“Our local MP Clive Betts has dedicated his support to us and we are grateful that he understands just what this means to our community – especially in his role as Chair of the Government’s Leveling Up, Housing and Communities Committee – and he is prepared to help us fight.
“This is the fight which Saph started and although it is very emotional for us – we are very proud that her presence is here with us today.”
The group has already gathered 4,000 signatures, raised £10,000 for potential legal action via a GoFundMe, and set up a campaign website to keep residents updated.
