BOLTON council and Bolton Institute of Higher Education have called a truce in a row over a children's playground and car park.

The land to the rear at Bullfield Sidings off Deane Road has been the subject of dispute since the council was forced to hand over ownership to BIHE in 1988 when the college moved out of local authority control.

Under the agreement, the college allows the council to use the land and will hand it back to the local authority in 1998 if it is not needed for building.

Recently BIHE gave the council six weeks to quit the site but the council resisted and a negotiated settlement has been reached.

The settlement extends the current agreement for a further 15 years until both sides can agree on a "joint development" for the land.

Council leader Cllr Bob Howarth said: "Hopefully the present situation can continue for many years. The way forward is through a joint approach and possible joint development."

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