Sad death of a pioneering housebuilder

HOUSEBUILDING giant David McLean – whose firm built thousands of properties across North Wales and England – has died.

Former Bagillt bricklayer Mr McLean founded the David McLean Group in 1972 and turned the business into a multimillion-pound operation with more than 300 staff.

As well as building thousands of homes, the firm was behind many of the units on Deeside industrial estate, where the company was based, as well as projects like the pedestrianisation of Holywell.

Mr McLean, 74, became one of the wealthiest business people in north Wales and owned the Soughton House mansion in Flintshire.

But the company ran into financial difficulties when the housing market crashed and administrators were called in back in 2008, with the company leaving debts of nearly £90m.

He was a father of three children, Jane, Andrea and Adam, and stepfather to Nikki. He had four grandchildren.

Daughter Jane McLean said his death on April 30 had come as a “total shock”.

She added: “We are devastated and he is missed dreadfully.

“Our family have been inundated by messages from friends and old colleagues, many of which said they owe their career and success to my father, who gave and opened up many opportunities for them.

“He was a remarkable man and amazing father and grandfather.”

Flintshire councillor Tony Sharps had known David McLean since they were teenagers and saw him grow the business from a small firm into a giant housebuilding operation.

He said he had been instrumental in building hundreds of homes in the county of Flintshire and across on Merseyside and a key developer on the industrial estate.

There were a number of tributes on social media to the former developer, who in 2010 donated some of his mansion garden for allotment plots for local people and was a previous winner of the Daily Post Business Person of the Year award.

Rhys Roberts said: “Growing up you were our inspiration and I listened when you gave advice and support. RIP my friend. You will be missed by many.”

His funeral is taking place in Northop Church on Tuesday, May 16 at 1.15pm.