Development Finance in Ealing
Fund your ground-up development or major refurbishment project across the London Borough of Ealing. Access up to 70% LTC and 65% GDV with rates from 0.65% per month through our panel of 100+ specialist lenders.
What is Development Finance?
Development finance is a specialist form of property lending designed to fund the construction or substantial renovation of residential and commercial buildings. Unlike a standard mortgage, development finance is structured to accommodate the unique cash flow requirements of a building project, with funds released in stages as construction progresses rather than as a single advance.
For property developers in Ealing, development finance provides the capital needed to acquire sites, fund construction costs, cover professional fees, and manage project overheads. The loan is typically secured against the development site and the partially completed building, with the facility structured around the projected Gross Development Value (GDV) of the finished scheme.
Ealing presents an outstanding market for property development. The arrival of the Elizabeth Line at Ealing Broadway, West Ealing, and Acton Main Line has driven significant capital growth, with average property prices across the borough rising sharply. The council's supportive stance toward residential development, combined with strong demand from buyers and renters drawn to improved transport connectivity, creates an environment where well-planned schemes can deliver exceptional returns.
Whether you are an experienced developer planning a 50-unit scheme near Ealing Broadway station or a first-time developer converting an office building in Acton under Permitted Development rights, the right development finance facility is essential to making your project viable.
Development Finance at a Glance
The core metrics that define our development finance facilities for Ealing projects.
Borrow up to 70% of total project costs including land acquisition, build costs, and professional fees. Your equity contribution starts from just 30%.
The total facility is also capped at 65% of the Gross Development Value, ensuring the finished project provides adequate security for the lender.
Competitive monthly rates starting from 0.65% per month for experienced developers. Interest is typically rolled up and paid from sale proceeds at exit.
Flexible terms from 6 to 36 months to match your build programme. Extensions are available if construction takes longer than initially projected.
Understanding the Capital Stack
How development finance fits within the overall funding structure of a typical Ealing development project.
The capital stack can be customised to your needs. With mezzanine finance or development equity, you can reduce your personal equity contribution to as little as 10% of total costs.
How the Capital Stack Works for Ealing Developers
Every development project is funded through a combination of different capital sources, known as the “capital stack.” Understanding how these layers interact is essential for structuring your project's funding efficiently and maximising your return on equity.
Senior development finance sits at the base of the stack and provides the majority of your project funding. As the first charge holder, the senior lender has the strongest security position, which is reflected in the lowest interest rates, typically starting from 0.65% per month for Ealing projects.
Mezzanine finance can be layered on top of senior debt to increase your total leverage from 70% to up to 90% of total costs. The mezzanine lender takes a second charge behind the senior lender, accepting higher risk in exchange for higher returns, typically 1% to 1.5% per month.
Developer equity represents your own capital contribution. While you typically need to provide at least 30% of total costs with senior debt alone, combining senior and mezzanine finance can reduce your equity requirement to just 10%. Alternatively, equity partners can provide some or all of this capital in exchange for a share of profits.
Example: 8-Unit Scheme in Ealing Broadway
Types of Projects We Fund in Ealing
From single-unit conversions to large-scale residential schemes, we arrange development finance for every type of property project in the borough.
Residential New Build
Ground-up construction of houses, apartments, and townhouses. From single-unit developments to schemes of 50+ units across Ealing.
Commercial Conversions
Office-to-residential, retail-to-residential, and industrial-to-residential conversions. Permitted Development schemes are especially popular in Ealing and Acton.
Heavy Refurbishment
Major renovation and reconfiguration projects that change the use, layout, or structural elements of existing buildings. Includes subdivision of large properties.
Mixed-Use Developments
Combined residential and commercial schemes, often with ground-floor retail or office space and residential units above. Common in Ealing Broadway and Southall town centres.
Student Accommodation
Purpose-built student accommodation near Ealing's educational institutions. These specialist schemes benefit from strong, predictable rental demand.
Build-to-Rent
Purpose-built private rented sector developments. North Acton and Acton have seen strong demand for this asset class, driven by young professional tenants.
Ealing's Development Landscape
The London Borough of Ealing is one of West London's most active development markets. The council has identified significant capacity for new housing delivery across the borough, with particular focus on areas benefiting from the Elizabeth Line, including Ealing Broadway, West Ealing, Acton, and Southall.
The Southall Opportunity Area alone has a target for 9,000 new homes, while North Acton has become one of London's highest-density development zones. For developers, these policy frameworks create a supportive planning environment that underpins strong project viability.
Commercial-to-residential conversions remain popular across Ealing, particularly in Acton and Perivale where former office and light industrial buildings offer attractive conversion opportunities. Permitted Development rights allow developers to bypass the traditional planning process, reducing risk and accelerating timelines.
At the same time, infill development on garden land, subdivision of larger properties, and above-commercial residential schemes continue to deliver strong returns for smaller developers looking to build a track record in the borough.
How Development Finance Works
From initial enquiry to project completion and exit, here is what to expect at each stage of the development finance process.
Application & Appraisal
Submit your project details including site information, planning status, build costs, and projected GDV. We prepare a comprehensive funding appraisal and approach our panel of 100+ lenders to identify the best terms for your scheme.
Valuation & Due Diligence
An RICS-registered valuer inspects the site and provides a Red Book valuation including current market value, projected GDV, and build cost assessment. The lender conducts legal due diligence on the title, planning, and your development entity.
Initial Drawdown
Once legals complete, the facility is established and the initial drawdown is released, typically covering the site acquisition cost. Funds are released through the lender's solicitor to complete the purchase or reimburse your acquisition costs.
Build Monitoring & Drawdowns
As construction progresses, a monitoring surveyor or QS visits the site at agreed intervals to certify completed works. Once certified, subsequent drawdown tranches are released to fund the next build stage. This continues through to practical completion.
Exit & Repayment
The facility is repaid through your chosen exit strategy, typically the sale of completed units or refinance onto a term mortgage. Most lenders allow partial repayments as individual units sell, reducing your interest costs progressively.
Development Finance vs Other Property Finance
Understanding how development finance compares to bridging loans and mezzanine finance helps you choose the right product for your project.
| Feature | Development Finance | Bridging Finance | Mezzanine Finance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | New build & major refurb | Quick acquisitions & light refurb | Increasing leverage on dev schemes |
| Max LTC / LTV | 70% LTC | 75% LTV | 90% combined LTC |
| Rates from | 0.65% pm | 0.55% pm | 1.0% pm |
| Typical term | 6-36 months | 1-24 months | Aligned to senior debt |
| Drawdown | Staged (QS certified) | Single advance | Staged with senior |
| Speed | 2-6 weeks | 5-10 working days | Arranged with senior |
| Security | First charge | First charge | Second charge |
Development Finance in Action
Real examples of how we have helped Ealing developers secure funding for successful projects.
Ealing's Specialist Development Finance Broker
We combine deep local knowledge with access to the UK's widest panel of development lenders.
Local Ealing Expertise
We understand Ealing's planning landscape, conservation areas, and market dynamics. From the Elizabeth Line premium in W5 to regeneration opportunities in UB1 Southall, our local knowledge ensures your application is presented in the strongest possible light.
100+ Lender Panel
Access the UK's widest panel of specialist development lenders, including high street banks, challenger banks, family offices, and private credit funds. This breadth ensures we find the right lender for your specific project and circumstances.
24-Hour Indicative Terms
Speed matters in property development. We provide indicative terms within 24 hours of receiving your project details, giving you the confidence to move quickly when securing sites in Ealing's competitive market.
First-Time Developer Support
New to development? We specialise in helping first-time developers access funding. We'll guide you through the process, help you build the right professional team, and identify lenders comfortable with newer developers.
Full Capital Stack Solutions
Beyond senior development finance, we arrange mezzanine finance, equity partnerships, and bridging facilities. This means we can structure the complete funding package for your project, whatever the complexity.
Proven Track Record
Over £300 million funded to date, with multiple successful completions across the London Borough of Ealing. Our track record gives lenders confidence and helps you secure the best available terms.
Development Finance Questions Answered
Common questions about securing development finance for property projects in the London Borough of Ealing.
Development finance facilities typically range from £250,000 to £25 million for projects in Ealing. The amount you can borrow is determined by two key metrics: Loan-to-Cost (LTC), which caps at 70% of total project costs including land acquisition and build costs, and Loan-to-Gross Development Value (GDV), which caps at 65% of the completed project value. For a typical Ealing residential scheme with a GDV of £4 million, you could potentially borrow up to £2.6 million, subject to the project meeting lender criteria.
Development finance rates in Ealing currently start from 0.65% per month (7.8% per annum) for experienced developers with strong projects. Rates are influenced by several factors: your development track record, the loan-to-cost ratio, the project's risk profile, planning status, and the strength of your professional team. First-time developers can expect rates from 0.85% to 1.2% per month. Our access to over 100 specialist lenders means we can source competitive rates tailored to your specific circumstances.
We provide indicative terms within 24 hours of receiving your project details. From full application to completion, the timeline is typically 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the complexity of the scheme and the chosen lender. For straightforward projects with experienced developers and detailed planning permission, some lenders can complete in as little as 10 working days. Complex schemes involving mezzanine finance or multiple sites may take 6 to 8 weeks.
Yes, first-time developers can access development finance, though the range of available lenders is more limited. To strengthen your application, you should demonstrate relevant professional experience such as project management, construction, or property investment. You will need a strong professional team including an experienced architect, quantity surveyor, and main contractor. Starting with a smaller, less complex project and being prepared for slightly higher rates of 0.85% to 1.2% per month will improve your chances. We specialise in helping first-time Ealing developers navigate this process.
Development finance is released in stages rather than as a single lump sum. The initial drawdown typically covers the site acquisition cost on day one. Subsequent tranches are released as construction progresses, certified by an independent Quantity Surveyor (QS) or monitoring surveyor appointed by the lender. Common drawdown stages include: site purchase, foundations and groundworks, superstructure, watertight shell, first fix (mechanical and electrical), second fix and finishes, and practical completion. This staged approach protects both the lender and the developer.
Standard fees for development finance include: an arrangement fee of 1% to 2% of the total facility, a valuation fee of £2,000 to £10,000 depending on scheme size, legal fees for both your solicitor and the lender's solicitor, monitoring or QS fees charged per inspection visit typically £500 to £1,500, and potentially an exit fee of 0% to 1% of the loan. As your broker, our fee is typically 1% of the facility. We provide a full, transparent breakdown of all costs before you commit.
While it is possible to obtain development finance for projects that are still in the planning process, having detailed planning permission significantly improves your options and rates. Most mainstream development lenders require at least outline planning permission, with a condition that detailed permission is obtained before drawdown. For projects using Permitted Development rights, which are common for office-to-residential conversions in Ealing, you will need a Prior Approval notice. Some specialist lenders will fund pre-planning projects at higher rates.
Development finance covers a wide range of project types in Ealing, including ground-up residential new builds across W3, W5, W7, W13, UB1, UB5, and UB6 postcodes, commercial-to-residential conversions under Permitted Development, heavy refurbishment and renovation schemes, mixed-use developments with residential and commercial elements, new-build commercial and retail projects, and student accommodation near university sites. The key requirement is a viable project with a clear exit strategy, typically through sale or refinance.