British art lovers can breathe a bit easier today with the announcement that the Southampton city council has decided to cancel plans to sell a sculpture by Auguste Rodin and a painting by Sir Alfred Munnings from the city's collection to help pay for a new museum dedicated to the doomed Titanic ship. Instead, the council says it will sell land and consider fundraising partnerships with other institutions.

The plan, which the council hoped could raise £5 million ($7.8 million) toward the proposed £15 million ($23.4 million) center, had aroused considerable fury from some residents and institutions in the United Kingdom. Officials at the Tate released statements questioning the intelligence of the move, and protest groups such as Save Our Collection organized to oppose the sale.

The council had defended its planned deaccessioning as being for the public good, noting that the new museum is projected to create 2,000 jobs and draw tourists to the region. Council member Royston Smith told BBC News, “We didn't have overwhelming support so we have had to re-look at it and rethink our plans."

Read more at BBC News.