Dispute resolution sees lay-by go-ahead

Calderdale Council’s cabinet has agreed to release £33,000 needed to complete the lay-by on the A58 – the main road between Halifax and Leeds.

The council has been in dispute with the private developer of the site – multi-millionaire Bill Ibberson – beside the lay-by for the past decade.

Mr Ibberson and the council have been at loggerheads over other proposed developments in the borough – notably Sugdens Mill in Brighouse – which is still unresolved.

But a report to Calderdale Council’s Cabinet said the dispute has been resolved and the process is under way to transfer the land required for the lay-by into council ownership.

It means that Calderdale Council will now be able to get on with the work of completing the lay-by as soon as transfer of the land is completed.

The work will involve the diversion of electric cables before the construction work can be completed.

Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for economy and environment, Councillor Barry Collins, said: “This is really good news. We have agreed to release the money so that, once the land transfer is completed at the end of February, we can get on with completing the work as quickly as possible.”

Coun Graham Hall who represents the area, thanked everyone involved for their hard work helping to resolve the dispute.

He said: “On behalf of the people of Hipperholme, I would like to thank cabinet members and all of the council officers who have worked so hard to find a way forward on this issue.

“I feel that this solution is a sensible way forward to bring this outstanding matter to an end.”

Local residents say they are delighted having agitated for a solution for many years.