Christmas came early for Marsh residents and business owners yesterday as more than 20 boulders were finally removed from a free car park.
Known by locals as ‘Stonehenge’, the car park had the boulders placed there more than a year ago by businessman Afzal Khan following a bitter dispute with Kirklees Council and a local taxi firm over the use of the car park.
Mr Khan claimed he was concerned that he could end up accepting liability in the event of motorists suffering damage to their vehicles on what has been for many years a free car park.
Initially the boulders meant no-one could use the car park, though in later months this was relaxed after Mr Khan allowed some of the boulders to be moved.
The breakthrough came a few weeks ago when Mr Khan signed a contract with Raj Handa to develop the former DIY store which adjoins the car park.
Mr Handa, who is investing up to £300,000 on turning the site into a playgym for teens said he was delighted.
He said: “This has been timed well for Christmas shoppers who use Marsh’s facilities.
“Local reaction has been brilliant and people can’t wait for the venue to open in the spring.
“The rollerdisco and soft play will be a big hit for Huddersfield and we will be starting the recruitment process in the new year with more than 20 jobs up for grabs.”
Council leader and ward member Mehboob Khan said: “This is very welcome news. It didn’t have to happen in the first place, but there it is.
“Since it is the season of goodwill I want to draw a line under what has happened and move forward to improving the area for local people”.
Nigel Saxton, landlord of The Croppers Arms, whose pub also adjoins the car park, said he was delighted at the development.
He said: “That is wonderful! Customers have been running into them.
“And it was not good for business. The boulders were difficult to negotiate and if people couldn’t find a place to park they would find somewhere else to eat and drink.”
It is hoped by locals that the removal of the boulders will just be the first step in the rehabilitation of the potholed riddled area, part of which is the council’s responsibility.
Mr Khan has promised in the past to fill in the potholes on his land.
