Ben Houchen: Everything you need to know about Tees Valley Mayor's Development Corporation and PD Ports' court case

The legal action has seen claim and counterclaim from both Lord Houchen and the defendants, PD Ports - the harbour authority company responsible for maintaining the UK’s fifth largest port at Teesport.

When STDC completed its CPO of the former steelworks site at Redcar in April 2020 it acquired landholdings sandwiched between and enveloping those owned by port operator PD Ports.

In order to access one plot it had acquired at South Bank Quay, STDC sought to build a roundabout on Smith’s Dock Road. However, as planning documents for the now-finished roundabout submitted to Redcar and Cleveland Council in 2019 show, a tiny sliver of land belonging to PD Ports was needed to complete the project and provide access to STDC’s acquisition.

Those with knowledge of the case tell The Yorkshire Post this three-square metre plot was granted to STDC for free on the basis the development corporation would legally enshrine PD Ports’ rights across land they were about to acquire as part of the CPO.

In essence, the court is being asked to determine whether or not PD Ports require a reciprocal agreement of this nature in order to access their own landholdings across those held by STDC.

In June, PD Ports’ CEO Frans Calje told The Yorkshire Post: “It is disappointing that this legal action has been instigated by STDC.

“This action is unnecessary and costly for the taxpayer. The purpose of this public body is to support economic growth and job creation and organisations such as PD Ports. Based on our demonstrable track record we feel the STDC should be working with PD Ports rather than pursuing litigation against the largest private employer in the Tees Valley.”

As Statutory Port Authority, PD Ports are legally obliged to maintain channel depths, pilot vessels, lighthouses, buoys and so on. In order to discharge these duties, access to some of their landholdings can only be reached across land bought by STDC in their CPO.

“Nobody is suing for money or compensation,” wrote Ben Houchen on his Facebook page whilst discussing the South Gare - a breakwater that has become a beauty spot popular with Teessiders. The tip of the Gare is owned by PD Ports, although the private road that reaches it crosses the former steelworks site that was acquired by STDC. It is one example of several which make up the claims in court papers.

A spokesperson for STDC said: “It is essential we secure clarity to allow us to develop the site and give clean title to investors. This resolution is fundamental to the successful development of the whole site.”