Development Finance Today

UK monthly construction output declined by 0.2% in January, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics. Damien Wynne, co-founder of housebuilder QNEWHOMES, commented: “This [decline] could be put down to a winter slowdown which sometimes means projects are delayed in the planning stage, however it is more likely the result of a hesitant economy." Lauren Pamma, head of energy and infrastructure at Aldermore Bank, said: “The outlook for the year ahead is currently unclear, particularly with the recent geopolitical landscape and uncertainty around cross-border tariffs." Read the full story at DFT: https://lnkd.in/eakPxfVC

Lendlease has received planning approval from Birmingham City Council’s Planning Committee, allowing the £1.9bn Smithfield Birmingham regeneration scheme to move forward with its first phase. Selina Mason, director of masterplanning for Smithfield Birmingham at Lendlease, said: “This is a key milestone that will kickstart the delivery of 3,000 homes for England’s second city — creating jobs, wider opportunities, and making Birmingham an even better, lively, and welcoming place for people to live and work.” Colin Murphy, project lead on Smithfield Birmingham at Lendlease, stated: “This is a major milestone for the Smithfield project and important step forward in Birmingham’s transformation as an international city." Read the full story at DFT: https://lnkd.in/eTGEJSnz

Persimmon Homes has completed the purchase of land in Essex, with outline planning permission for 505 homes. Located at Wyvern Farm in Stanway, Colchester, this will be a dual branded development between Persimmon and Charles Church. Richard Hush, managing director at Persimmon Homes Essex, commented: “Having operated in the Stanway location for many years we have great confidence in our knowledge of the area, and having the dual branding will allow us to cater for the full range of customers while elevating the Charles Church brand to one of desirability.” Read the full story at DFT: https://lnkd.in/eH4wY9qx

Housing associations reinvested a record amount of capital in 2024, with £14.6bn being put towards creating new homes and improving existing ones. “The sector as a whole is proving resilient at grappling with competing demands on their resources, investing record amounts on new and existing homes, though inflation and high levels of repairs works are driving up unit costs,” said Will Perry, director of strategy at Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). Read the full story at DFT: https://lnkd.in/eHfG5PgG

Empiric Student Property plc raised £56.1m for PBSA developments in 2024, the student accommodation specialist has revealed in its full year results. Empiric has reported “strong operational performance” in the 12-month period which saw revenue increase 4.6% to £84.2m. “The business has delivered another year of great progress against its strategic objectives, most pleasingly in respect to our growth agenda,” said Duncan Garrood, CEO at Empiric Student Property PLC. Read the full story at DFT: https://lnkd.in/eDKXikE2

Pluto Finance has secured a £30m investment from the London Treasury Liquidity Fund (LTLF) for the development of affordable housing. “We are delighted to be working with the team at London Treasury and are aligned with their investment aim - competitive financial returns and the delivery of much needed affordable housing across the UK,” said Robert Swift, head of investor relations at Pluto Finance. Read the full story at DFT: https://lnkd.in/evUCMECu

Balfour Beatty plc’s order book has grown to £18.4bn, increasing 12% through the 12 months to December 2024. Leo Quinn, group CEO at Balfour Beatty, said: “We once again delivered managed profitable growth from our earnings-based businesses and healthy cash generation, while also increasing our high-quality order book.” Read the full story at DFT: https://lnkd.in/eiMTqYRb

The The Association for Rental Living (ARL) has welcomed the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill, highlighting the prominence it places on BTR. In response, Brendan Geraghty, CEO at ARL, has welcomed how the bill places particular importance on BTR. “With the ability to deliver two million additional, quality rental homes, BTR is an essential part of a diversified housing mix, one which the government itself has explicitly recognised in the revised NPPF, and thus the understanding of the BTR proposition and development dynamics is vital for local planning committees and officials.” Read the full story at DFT: https://lnkd.in/deg-qR6A

Secure Trust Bank (STB) has provided a £19.2m loan for PBSA scheme in Manchester. “Despite the deal’s complex ownership restructure, the STB team’s professional and pragmatic approach ensured that this could be overcome with ease,” said Raoul Malhotra, managing partner at Orka. Mike Feasey, relationship director at STB, said: “Investing in student accommodation is only growing in popularity, and we are pleased to have assisted BGO and Orka in bringing this joint venture to fruition.” Read the full story at DFT: https://lnkd.in/eXnrTFpU

Paragon Banking Group PLC has provided a 14-unit residential development in Kettering, Northamptonshire with a £2.9m funding package. This deal was led on behalf of Paragon Development Finance by senior relationship director Steve Hallam, with support from senior portfolio manager Ashling Quinn. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Steve and Ashling from Paragon on my second deal with them,” said Chris Wardrop, managing director of CRANEVIEW EM LTD. Read the full story at DFT: https://lnkd.in/eQaXmHjW