LONDON-Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward has selected St James Securities and Sterling Capitol as the developers of a pounds 240 million ($400 million) business park in Goole, Yorkshire.

LONDON-Welwyn Hatfield District Council has granted healthcare company Roche planning permission for a new 235,000-sf UK head office at Shire Park, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

LONDON-Planning minister Keith Hill used the BCSC conference in Birmingham to announce a new tax on development. Under the plan, which will run as an alternative to the current planning gain system, local authorities will be able levy a tax on new development to finance community facilities.

LONDON-House of Fraser is to anchor Stannifer's 635,000-sf Project Phoenix town centre regeneration scheme in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. It has signed up for a 141,500-sf store, but announced at the same time that it is to close its Inverness operation.

LONDON-Derwent Valley has achieved three more lettings at its City fringe scheme at 1 Oliver's Yard, London EC2. Three more tenants have taken a combined 40,000 sf leaving just 52,000 sf out of 187,000 sf available.

LONDON-The Mall Corporation, Capital & Regional and Morley Fund Management's specialist community shopping centre fund has paid Hermes pounds 49 million ($83 million) for the Marlands Shopping Centre in Southampton.

LONDON-Savills Fund Management has upgraded its forecast of total returns from commercial property during 2003 to 8.5%. However, the prospect of rising interest rates is likely to dampen property performance during 2004.

LONDON-Standard Life Investments has bought two Midlands retail parks from LaSalle Investment Management for pounds 88.95 million ($150 million).