A WELL-KNOWN developer who was one of the wealthiest businessmen in East Lancashire has died suddenly at his unique home.

Property tycoon Gerald Hitman, 59, was the man behind the Brockhall Village development in the Ribble Valley, where he also built his own luxurious mansion, The Old Zoo.

Ambulances were called to Mr Hitman’s home on Thursday lunchtime after he collapsed and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Hitman suffered from diabetes and had been unwell with a chest infection last week but colleagues said that was not believed to be linked to his death.

The cause of his death is not yet known, although police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Michael Singleton, the East Lancashire coroner, has been informed of Mr Hitman's death.

Alan Heaton, the general manager of Brockhall Village Ltd, said Mr Hitman would be sadly missed by all of the staff.

He said: "Mr Hitman was very enthusiastic in his promotion of the life-work balance. He worked from home and collapsed at home when he was working with his son Harry.

"His death has been such a shock to everyone here.

"He was very proud of all he achieved in the creation of Brockhall Village and the residents were very fond of him.

"For me, I will remember him as a true gentleman.

"He was a Newcastle United season ticket holder but also enjoyed visiting Blackburn Rovers."

Mr Hitman’s son Harry is now the sole director of the company.

Mr Hitman, who was 6ft 5ins tall, was known as a larger than life character who caused controversy in the 1980s when he bought the 999-year land lease to the 42-acre Brockhall Hospital site for just £750.

A decade later when the hospital closed he was able to develop the land to form the multi-million pound Brockhall Village, a gated community which is made up of 400 homes as well as Blackburn Rovers’ training ground.

Speaking recently he said: “I got it cheaply because everybody in the market thought the local authority would be too stupid to allow any sensible redevelopment. They weren’t.”

He also built his unique home in the village, The Old Zoo, which he had recently sold. It had been on the market for £2million.

The property was described by one expert as the “best contemporary house built in Britain since the 1930s” and featured 17 acres of grounds including more than 100 sculptures.

It also included a hot tub, swimming pool, a large pond, an outdoor “chapel”, a tennis court; a beech maze and a croquet lawn.

In 2004 he opened the gates to his gardens for tours, priced at £5.

His development of Brockhall often brought him into conflict with the local planning committee and existing residents of the area.

Mr Hitman was criticised by Prince Charles six years ago after another of his companies failed to re-develop a hospital it had purchased in Wales.

Mr Hitman was born in London but made his fortune buying and selling leases and freeholds in the North East.