Crossword Genius

Popular side developed around place that's being debated (2,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

in dispute

'being debated' is the definition.
(something in dispute is being discussed or debated)

'popular side developed around place' is the wordplay.
'popular' becomes 'in' (something that's 'in' is fashionable).
'developed' is an anagram indicator.
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'place' becomes 'put' (synonyms).
'side' is an anagram of 'dise'.
'dise' going around 'put' is 'dispute'.
'in'+'dispute'='IN DISPUTE'

'that's' acts as a link.

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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