Plans to develop a £100m racecourse, hotel, nature reserve and golf course on green-belt land in Salford have been rejected by secretary of state John Denham. The ruling follows a planning inquiry into the Salford Forest Park scheme last year that said the project could cause “very substantial harm” to green-belt land. Developer Peel Holdings now has six weeks to challenge the decision by applying to the High Court. Derek Antrobus, lead member for planning at Salford City Council, said: “The council recognises the intrinsic value of the green belt to the people and communities of Salford, and does not wish to see green-belt development.”

Manchester developer Property Alliance Group has formed a partnership with London-based real-estate investor Moorfield Group to focus on development and investment opportunities in the North West. The partnership will look to acquire £150m of assets in the region over the next two years, but has the “flexibility to extend well beyond this”. Both companies will contribute capital to the joint venture and the partnership has the capacity to look at assets worth more than £50m. David Russell, chairman of Property Alliance Group, said: “This partnership will enhance our ability to source great opportunities over the coming months.”

Pets at Home is the latest North West retailer to post strong Christmas trading figures. The Cheshire-based company, which has approximately 250 stores in out-of-town retail parks, said sales at shops open at least a year rose 6.7 per cent in the six weeks to 7 January. Although a slight slowdown from the previous reporting period, as like-for-like sales for the 41 weeks to 7 January were up 9.8 per cent, the group said it was a 10.4 per cent improvement on the same period in 2008. Pets at Home, owned by Bridgepoint, is in talks with several private-equity firms about an £800m sale and has not ruled out a stock-market flotation.

Two Manchester bakeries are set to close with the loss of around 100 jobs. Irish food manufacturer McCambridge Group plans to close the Lisa Bakery in Oldham and the William Lusty factory in Heywood as part of its strategy to streamline the business. A 30-day consultation period with its employees and the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers’ Union has now begun.

DPP Shape, the Manchester urban planning studio, has been engaged by Blackpool Council to assist in the design and feasibility work for the Foxhall Area Action Plan. The plan will cover regeneration of the tourist area for the next 15 years, with Keppie Massie providing strategic property advice. Lyndsey Cookson at Blackpool Council said: “Foxhall has a range of serious economic, social and environmental issues which need to be addressed in order for this area to be a more attractive place to live, visit and invest.”

Two more businesses have signed up to partner entrepreneurs’ event RAW 2010. Law firm Pannone and Brother UK will sponsor the one-day event which takes place on 20 January at The Lowry, Salford Quays. Imran Hakim, entrepreneur and organiser of RAW2010, said: “Entrepreneurs go to Brother and Pannone because they know they will get a service tailored to their specific needs, based on years spent building experience and expertise in the entrepreneurial market. It’s this commitment that makes them a clear choice for partnership with our initiative.”

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