UK COAL CONCEDES TO PRESSURE (Kirklees Liberal Democrats)

Kirklees Liberal Democrats <info@kirkleeslibdems.org.uk>

UK COAL CONCEDES TO PRESSURE

March 16, 2007 3:15 PM

UK COAL CONCEDES TO PRESSURE

- "It's a victory for the local community" says Councillor

Cllr Dennis Hullock (Lib Dem, Dewsbury East) is celebrating after a 9 month campaign to get UK Coal to clear a stretch of land behind homes on Willerton Close, Chidswell Lane and Manor Park in Dewsbury East has ended in victory.

Cllr Hullock has just received confirmation from UK Coal saying that a working party will be visiting the area on the Windsor Park Site known as "the 5metre strip" the week commencing 19th March 2007 in order to clear the land.

"This is a victory for all of the residents who live on Chidswell Lane, Willerton Close and Manor Park" says Cllr Hullock "We've had false starts and set backs, but people have remained patient, refused to lose faith and done everything I've asked of them and this week we should see the result we've all been fighting for since last year".

Cllr Hullock and local residents held a meeting with UK Coal last July. At that meeting, UK Coal agreed they would begin to clear and maintain the land on a regular basis. Since then, Cllr Hullock and the residents have been waiting for the work to take place. Workmen visited the site in October but left without undertaking the work due to crossed wires. This lead to Cllr Hullock having to re-survey all 34 homes that back on to the Windsor Site to get their written approval."

"It been a long slog" says Cllr Hullock "And I'm looking forward to this being put to bed".

"But there's more to do yet, residents also want something done with the tree belt on the land behind their homes. Negotiations are ongoing but I'm sure that residents will take hope from this initial victory"