A TAXI firm which was holding up the re-development of Heckmondwike town centre has finally backed down.
Eastern Taxis, based in Royle Fold, had refused to sell its building to Kirklees Council and faced a public inquiry this week.
The council was seeking a compulsory purchase order (CPO) but at the eleventh hour the taxi firm finally agreed a deal.
Kirklees Council has had plans to build a new £5.8m library and information centre and a bus terminus for almost two years.
The council had acquired all the other buildings needed to flatten the site but Eastern Taxis refused to negotiate.
The Press understands a local businessman brokered talks to allow a deal to go ahead.
It is understood the council has bought the site but leased the premises back until December.
Mr David Exley, chairman of Heckmondwike Chamber of Trade, said he was delighted the re-development could now move forward. He said he wanted assurances from the council that no funding had been lost due to the delays.
“The council said the money was ring-fenced but that was two years ago. I want to know the money is still there,” he added.
A council spokesman confirmed the deal and said: “The last remaining objector has now withdrawn his objections to the CPO. The council has now acquired this part of the land and provided a short lease back to the taxi business, after which time the site will become vacant.
“As the CPO is now unopposed, the public inquiry has been cancelled by agreement with the Government office.
“Despite the council’s acquisition of this part of the site, the council still requires the CPO to be confirmed in order that the development may be allowed to proceed.
“Should the CPO be confirmed, the council then has to go through a further set of legal processes which would allow the council to take possession of the whole site.”