Property Development Finance
We provide tailored funding solutions for property development across the whole of the UK, Ireland and parts of Western Europe across all asset types. Every single deal is packaged precisely for your requirements, to ensure that you receive construction finance which is second to none on the market today.
Development finance tailored to you
We work with a team of leading specialist lenders, family offices and private capital providers to ensure your development finance package is structured optimally around your scheme. Each scheme is individually considered – factoring in the developer’s track record, the build costs, estimated Gross Development Value and the exit plan to give you a funding proposal that is affordable, competitive and attainable.
We negotiate for you, achieve the lowest fee levels possible, and will showcase your scheme to lenders in the most positive light.
We constantly strive to add value… negotiating with lenders, driving down fees, and promoting the merits of your project every step of the way.
Residential development finance
When a lender considers lending for residential development they look at factors such as: experience of the developer, credit rating of the developer, demand in the area, cost of the land, build costs, GDV, and the exit plan.
Typical parameters include:
- UK & Western Europe
- Maximum LTC: up to 90%
- Maximum LTGDV: up to 75%
- Loan size: £100k to no upper limit
- Rates from: BBR + 4.99% p.a.
- Terms up to 48 months
- JV & equity options available
Ground‑up development finance is typically available with maximum LTC up to 90%, Max LTGDV: up to 75%.
Funding for non‑residential, commercial development
The range of commercial development options include offices, hotels, industrial units and mixed-use schemes. Many lenders require some form of security on exit prior to works commencing such as a pre-approved lets, operator or strong covenant.
Typical parameters include:
- UK only
- Maximum LTC: up to 85%
- Maximum LTGDV: up to 70%
- Loan size: £100k to no upper limit
- Rates from: BBR + 5% p.a.
- Terms up to 48 months
- Senior investment loans also available
A commercial development finance lender will often require some form of secured exit, such as a contract with a hotel operator.
Bespoke development finance solutions
Flexible structures to support your project
- Stretched senior up to 90% of build cost
- Mezzanine up to 75% LTGDV
- Hybrid mezz/equity for higher leverage
- JV development finance up to 100% build cost
- Equity to sit above senior debt
- Suitable for high‑potential schemes requiring minimal developer cash input
- Site acquisition bridging
- Bridging pending planning
- Finish & exit bridging
- Development exit loans to refinance and release equity
High leverage options
When you need maximum gearing.
Provides additional leverage above senior debt, reducing the equity required without profit share.
Ideal for strong schemes where you want to minimise upfront capital and share risk with an equity partner.
What we need for assessment of a project
Information required to fund your project. To put together a development finance proposal, we will need, generally:
- Executive summary
- Borrowing vehicle & corporate structure
- Details of shareholders & directors
- Statement of assets & liabilities
- Credit checks (if not clean)
- CV’s & profiles of development team and management
- Detailed development appraisal & accommodation schedule
- Building costs & cashflow profile
- Details of planning permission / application
- Site plan & drawings/CG’s
- Marketing strategy
- Sales or valuation comparables (if available)
- Technical reports (contamination etc.) MS, feasibility etc.)
- Proof of exit strategy (sales, refinance DIP, lease details etc.)
We will need everything available with regard to: executive summary, development appraisal, cashflow, planning & exit strategy.
Tips before applying
How to prepare for a successful development finance application:
Understand local demand, demographics and competition. Larger schemes may require a feasibility study.
Use conservative figures for GDV, build costs and timescales. Lenders will not rely on optimistic assumptions.
The development finance market is diverse and it takes a specialist broker to understand how best to increase your likelihood of getting approval. A specialist broker will also alleviate a great deal of stress.
If permission is needed, lenders will typically only approve loan facilities once approval has been granted (unless the bridging finance is for a property while awaiting the outcome of planning permission).
The ability of a contractor to complete the job within budget and on time can be crucial to the lender assessing their financial standing and overall viability as a contractor for this development.
The ability of your solicitor to expedite matters can make or break the transaction timeline.
Lenders will want to know exactly how the loan will be repaid-sale of the completed project, refinance to a more conventional term loan, or sale on to a tenant.
How much can you borrow?
There are many contributing factors in determining the size of a loan. The size of your loan and the rate will be determined by:
- Developer experience
- Credit profile
- Net worth and the amount of equity that you have available
- Cost of land
- Cost of build/refurbishment
- Gross development value
- Type of scheme (new build, mixed use, multi-unit)
- Feasibility and strength of exit strategy