Slump hit Heysham builder

A LANCASHIRE housebuilder failed after the housing slump made it difficult to sell properties at a new estate in the Lune Valley.

Heysham-based Butler Developments Northwest, owned by Tim Butler, called in administrators at Baker Tilly after it was unable to pay a debt to an associated company that failed last year.

Administrator Russell Cash said liquidators handling Tim Butler Plant Hire pursued Butler Developments for £312,000 that the company could not pay.

Butler Developments has sold eight of the 14 properties at its Herb Garden residential scheme in Arkholme, near Carnforth, and Mr Cash is now looking for buyers for the remaining six.

He said: “Difficult economic conditions meant it was difficult for them to sell the properties and it didn’t have the funds to pay the debt.”