BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The company behind the McAllister Ranch project is in default on its $235 million loan.

That project southwest of Bakersfield was designed to build 6,000 homes, but the project may now be in peril.

The notice of default was filed on Tuesday at the County Recorder's Office.

The three page document said that as of April 15, Suncal McAllister Ranch, LLC, a partner of Irvine-based Suncal Companies owed more than $4.1 million on the $235 million loan Suncal took out in order to develop the site near South Allen Road and Panama Lane southwest of Bakersfield.

The loan company, Lehman Commericial Paper Incorporated filed the default notice and now Chicago Title Company is responsible for collecting the remainder on that loan or the property could be sold.

Several liens have been placed on the property from several contractors over disputed pay.

And according to the Kern County Superior Court Web site, three civil suits have been filed against Suncal McAllister Ranch, LLC.

McAllister Ranch was to offer up to 6,200 homes within the more than 2,000 acres of the project.

There was also going to be 59 acres of commercial development and an 18-hole Greg Norman designed golf course.

The golf course and club house are nearly complete but Thursday afternoon ABC23 could only see one semi-completed home.

So what does this mean for the project? It's unclear. ABC 23 contacted Suncal's corporate office in Irvine, but a spokesman said he was still gathering information and has not returned our phone calls.

Marc Gauthier, Principal Planner for the City of Bakersfield, told ABC 23 by phone that if the developer is in default, McAllister Ranch is essentially "cooked."

He said the land will probably be bought again a few years down the road after lawsuits and settlements and that someday someone may build there.

According to numerous online and newspaper reports Suncal Companies has defaulted on several properties in the last few years.

But according to an article in the Orange County Register, a Suncal spokesman told them that the McAllister Ranch project was not stalling.

However, that report was issued two weeks before the default was filed.

The default document reads in part:

"If your property is in foreclosure because you are behind in your payments, it may be sold without any court action, and you may have the legal right to bring your account in good standing by payign all of your past due payments...

"This amount is $4,185,603.91 as of 04/15/08 and will increase until your account becomes current.

"Remember, you may lose legal rights if you do not take prompt action. Notice is hereby given that: Chicago Title Company, a California corporation is ... the duly appointed Trustee ... for the original sum of $235,000,000.00..."

According to the Kern County Superior Court website the following three companies have pending civil litigation against LBREP/L-Suncal McAllister Ranch LLC: McKenna's Curb and Gutter Co. Inc., Control Fire Prevention Inc. and Stock Building Supply West Inc.