Complex sentence: The compact size of Dudley's boundaries, combined with a high cost of reclaiming derelict land helped contribute to a dire housing and land shortage resulting with the council "acquiring land from adjacent local authorities".
Split into simpler sentences: The compact size of Dudley's boundaries, combined with a high cost of reclaiming derelict land contributed to a dire housing and land shortage. This resulted in Dudley County Borough "acquiring land from adjacent local authorities".