Property development funding · London
Development finance in London
Funding built around the borough, the site and the exit.
From proposal to funding conversation
Put your London project on a firmer footing
London projects need an appraisal that reflects the exact postcode, specification and delivery constraints. A small infill scheme, a conversion above commercial premises and a new apartment building each create a different funding requirement. LEA Financial Services can discuss development finance for your London proposal and help you understand the information needed to approach suitable lenders.
We are a credit broker, not a lender. Funding availability and terms depend on the project and the lender’s assessment. Our team is based in Plymouth; this page is for developers with projects in London.
Project types
What are you planning to develop?
Infill and replacement homes
Show access rights, neighbouring constraints and a build programme that reflects the practical site conditions.
Apartment conversions
Explain the existing structure, proposed layout, works specification and how the finished units will be valued.
Mixed-use projects
Separate residential and commercial values, costs and exit assumptions instead of applying one blended figure.
The local project context
Build a borough-specific appraisal
London is not one property market. Use comparable completed sales from the relevant neighbourhood and property type, rather than a headline London average. Separate land purchase, construction, professional fees, finance costs and the sales period so the cash requirement is visible before you commit. On a constrained urban site, ask the contractor to price deliveries, storage and access explicitly.
The London Plan provides a strategic framework alongside the borough-level planning context. Confirm the applicable policies, permissions and conditions with your planning adviser. A finance proposal should distinguish between consent already secured and changes that still depend on approval. A proposed extra storey or a different unit mix should not be treated as guaranteed value.
Useful local resource: London Plan guidance. Check the current requirements with your professional advisers for your exact site.
Illustrative development photography; not a completed London client project.
Pressure-test the sales timetable
For a scheme with several units, model how each sale releases cash and reduces the loan. Test a slower sales period and a lower selling price, then check whether the project still has sufficient headroom. If you intend to retain units, obtain an early view on the proposed refinance rather than assuming a completed property will automatically qualify.
Development borrowing can include an initial advance followed by staged funding for works, subject to the lender’s conditions. Check what must be paid from your own funds and when, and obtain a written breakdown of interest and fees before deciding.
Read our development finance guide →From first enquiry to a decision
- Explain the proposal. Share the site, costs, experience and intended exit.
- Review the funding fit. Discuss the structure, equity and likely information requirements.
- Complete the assessment. Any lender decision depends on underwriting, valuation, legal checks and offer conditions.
- Plan delivery. Agree how the funding stages and repayment timetable fit the project.
Your questions answered
London development finance FAQs
Can I discuss finance before buying a London site?
Yes. An early discussion can identify the documents and equity information needed for an initial assessment. Any indication remains subject to lender underwriting, valuation and legal checks; it is not a commitment to lend.
Does the London borough affect the funding proposal?
The site location, planning position and achievable values all matter. Provide the borough, planning reference and exact address so the proposal can be assessed using the right local evidence.
Can development finance cover a conversion above shops?
Potentially, depending on the property, permissions, works and lender appetite. Explain the commercial use, access arrangements and intended sale or letting of the residential accommodation.
How should I allow for a longer sales period?
Include a realistic marketing period in the cash flow and compare a delayed-sales scenario. Ask how interest, fees and any extension would affect the amount due; an extension is not guaranteed.
Talk through the numbers
Have a development in London?
Tell us where the project is, what you want to build and how you plan to repay the funding.
Finance is subject to status, project assessment and lender criteria. Borrowing secured on property carries a risk of repossession if repayments are not maintained. This page is general information, not an offer of finance or project-specific advice.