Council pays out over gate dispute

29/01/2009

A dispute over a gate between a farmer and the local council in Halifax has been settled with the former being awarded an out-of-court settlement.

The Halifax Courier reported that Chris Green spent £2,000 on replacing a gate which the council discovered after the work had been undertaken.

Following an investigation, the council widened the gate against Mr Green's wishes and sent him the bill for £160, which he refused to pay.

After he was taken to court for non-payment, the farmer launched a counter-claim which was settled out of court.

Speaking to the news provider, Rachel Finney, team leader of Rights of Way, told the news provider: "I can confirm that the legal case has been settled out-of-court and any outstanding issues over the gate will be negotiated separately between the council and Mr Green."

He added that the whole affair had been unnecessary and a waste of time.

Meanwhile, Farmers Guardian reported that an automated gate has been launched by Northern Irish firm Exact which is expected to save farmers time.