CALDERDALE Council Cabinet has approved drawing up Compulsory Purchase Order powers for a key piece of land for a business park.

They have to be put in place but the hope is they will not have to be used and a deal for the land, essential for development of Clifton Business Park, can be reached without them.

The order can now be drawn up and councillors also agreed it can be implemented in order to secure land for the £33.1 million business park near Brighouse.

Deputy Leader of the Council, Coun Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot), who also holds Cabinet’s Regeneration and Resources portfolio, said it was power of last resort and it was hoped a deal could still be reached without using it.

“People have a right to own land and ask for money for it but equally the council has to reserve the use of Compulsory Purchase powers,” she said.

Briefing papers said so far the major owner and a minor owner of land which will be needed to develop Clifton Business Park, which is one of a number of Leeds City Region Growth Dean Enterprise Zones along the M62 corridor, are unwilling to sell their property in line with estimates.

But with the Clifton proposals heading to final business case status with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority – which will release cash to deliver the business park and future business rates income – an order needs to be prepared.

First two employment buildings at Gain Lane enterprise zone site approved

The scheme, for land at Clifton Common, off Wakefield Road and close to Junction 25 of the M62 motorway, is seen by the council as key to increasing business growth in Calderdale.

Valuations, including an independent one, have given the land a value of about £685,000.

A company, Wharfedale Limited, owns the great majority of the land but a deal has yet to be reached while of two smaller landowners one is currently willing to negotiate but another unwilling unless a certain amount is reached.

Coun Howard Blagbrough (Con, Brighouse) said he had been in contact with Wharfedale and was willing to act as a go-between.

“It’s apparent they are open to negotiation and would want officers to continue and not go along with plans of a Compulsory Purchase Order.

“I realise you mention it’s a last resort but this email indicates they are willing to come to the table,” he said.

Referring to cornoavirus, Coun Blagbrough added: “We are going to have a challenging time ahead of us including whether schemes are still viable because of economic difficulties we may face.”