A FRUSTRATED Ipswich resident has hit stalemate in a parking dispute that he claims is threatening his safety.John Savile will finally be given a redundant piece of land next to his home - provided he forks out a lump sum of £3,000 for building work first.

A FRUSTRATED Ipswich resident has hit stalemate in a parking dispute that he claims is threatening his safety.

John Savile will finally be given a redundant piece of land next to his home - provided he forks out a lump sum of £3,000 for building work first.

Mr Savile said: "The council have built up my hopes and then dashed them. They know I can't afford to pay this in one go."

The disabled 53-year-old has been at loggerheads with Ipswich Borough Council about a small triangle of lawn next to his house in Landseer Road since May.

The land is owned by the council but Mr Savile believes it should be part of his property.

He plans to turn the redundant land in to a parking bay and garden to prevent him having to cross the busy road outside his home every time he parks.

At first the council refused to give it to him as the land was close to a busy junction.

But after the two sides met Mr Savile could almost savour the sweet smell of victory when the council said he could have the land if none of his neighbours objected.

The victory was short lived when Mr Savile received a letter on September 9 saying he could have the land but only if paid for a drop kerb and a concrete bay to be built.

His latest estimates put the cost at around £3,000.

Mr Savile said: "I would be willing to pay it in monthly instalments but the council say that the Highways Authority, that would do the work, will not accept it.

"Their plan is ill thought-out and if I were to do the work as they said then I would not be able to open my van's door to get out as the fence would be in the way.

"And it would look ugly, I want to put down paving slabs away from the fence with flowers around to make it look nice.

"I would also be able to turn my van round making it easier to pull out and be much cheaper than what they are proposing."

A spokesman for the borough council confirmed that the Highways Authority would not accept payment in instalments.

He said: "We have taken on board Mr Collins points and are investigating."