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McLean pulls out
In the latest piece of bad news from the residential property sector, developer David McLean Homes has pulled out of a deal to build 600 homes on the former Gillmoss estate off the East Lancs Road. The group originally planned a mixed-use quarter with Tesco before resubmitting it as a residential-only project. Earlier this summer David McLean pulled out of the Luneside East scheme in Lancaster for the same reason. Paul Halliwell, regional managing director, said: "David McLean Homes has expressed its willingness to continue its interest in the Stonebridge Cross regeneration project when market conditions recover." 
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Neat deal for 3D company
Liverpool Science Park company Neat3D has been taken over by environmental consultancy MWH and moved to the global group's UK headquarters in Warrington. Neat3D produces 3D visuals and animation services on projects such as St Pancras Station, nuclear facilities and a number of large developments around Europe. Mark Wynne remains at the helm of the business he founded in 2004 by now leading the new business unit for MWH, one of the world's largest providers of water, environmental, infrastructure and energy services. Wynne said: "MWH has a fantastic global presence and we hope that our innovative and creative skills can help grow further business to the benefit of our clients."
Food for thought
Carlisle-based sandwich filling manufacturer Calder Foods is set to build a £2.5m extension to its Burgh Road factory following the acquisition of a competitor's business for £3.6m. Calder has taken over the sandwich filling business of Daniels Group, the company famous for its Covent Garden Soup Company brand that took over top Lancashire pudding maker Farmhouse Fare in 2006. Calder was started in the early 1990s by joint managing directors Paul Barker and Nigel Harrison.
Housing association signs up for space in Trafford
Property agent GVA Grimley has secured another tenant at Targetfollow's refurbished Metropolitan House at City Park in Old Trafford after social landlord St Vincent's Housing Association agreed to take 14,000 sq ft of space. The letting follows a number of other smaller lettings that has seen Bankruptcy Protection Fund, Hanjin Shipping and Rehab Works move into the building. GVA Grimley's Andrew Peak said occupier activity has been very encouraging and shows confidence in the property.
G&J Seddon to work on The Villas
Bolton-based construction company G&J Seddon has secured a £1.4m contract with the Plus Dane Group in Liverpool. The Villas, 17 shared ownership apartments, are to be built at the junction of Edge Lane and Alford Street in Fairfield, Liverpool. The design for the buildings incorporates the materials and specifications required to achieve an Eco Homes Excellent rating. Work on The Villas is expected to be completed by summer 2009.
Final approval for Tesco's Litherland plans
As Tesco bolsters its cash position with a £605m sale and leaseback of another tranche of its properties, the retail giant has finally got approval from Sefton Council for its plans for a former industrial site in Litherland after an eight-year struggle. Plans for a superstore on the former Lanstar tar distillery site were first announced in 2000 but the plug was pulled after a lengthy public inquiry and a new application receive outline planning consent in 2005.
Councils secure MoD site for £1
Allerdale Borough Council and Cumbria County Council have bought the Derwent Forest site in west Cumbria from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for only £1. Formerly an armaments depot, the 1,050-acre site - one of the largest brownfield sites in the UK - is to be transformed into a leisure and commercial development. Other partners in Derwent Forest are the Northwest Regional Development Agency, economic development agency Cumbria Vision and urban regeneration company West Lakes Renaissance (WLR).
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Something for the weekend
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Deal of the week
Tough call this week, but the top deal has to be one that proves there's still life and money in North West manufacturing. Birkenhead-based Anaco Systems has completed a partial management buyout in a deal worth £1.8m, which included £400,000 invested by Alliance Fund Managers through the MSIF Mezzanine Fund, support from The Co-operative Bank and directors' own investment. The £10m-turnover company manufactures and installs aluminium building façades for use in curtain walling, windows, doors and toughened glass frames.
âWell, that's OK then' quote of the week
"David McLean Homes remains committed to regeneration schemes and working with Liverpool City Council through these difficult market conditions." Really? Following the company's withdrawal from a bit of a mess in Gillmoss, it doesn't look like it to us.
Opportunistic press release of the week
Ever-busy PR firm Spinoza Kennedy Vesey was on the ball for client Hill Dickinson, leaping aboard the Edinburgh Festival bandwagon with a release about how the law firm has teamed up with Scouse comic John Bishop in a "unique partnership to advise other comedians, production companies, agents and performers about the importance of sound legal advice". They'd never have thought of that otherwise.
Don't play with matches
Looking for an alternative to the Mathew Street jamboree this weekend? Look no further than the tenth World Firefighters Games, which are being held in Liverpool from Sunday for a whole week. Over 3,000 firemen from 30 countries are going to descend on the city. One wonders whether council leader and fireman Warren Bradley will be taking part in what the PR calls "a biennial festival of sport and camaraderie". Perhaps he could enter the unmissable Toughest Firefighter Alive, "the ultimate test of a firefighter's strength, fitness and stamina".
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