In a recent feature published in Development Finance Today, Jack Bruce, Lead Relationship Manager at Lendhub, explores a defining shift in development finance, today’s schemes must stand up to genuine scrutiny, not just ambition.
With build costs elevated, exit values under closer examination and funding structures more disciplined than in previous cycles, viability has become the central conversation between developers and lenders.
Jack highlights that location fundamentals, transport connectivity, end-buyer demand, and pricing resilience now carry greater weight in credit decisions. Gross development value alone is no longer enough. Schemes must demonstrate realistic absorption rates, defensible pricing, and contingency planning. In this market, underwriting is not a barrier to growth, it is the mechanism that protects it.
For experienced developers, this environment rewards preparation, transparency and realism. Those who can evidence robustness are still securing funding and progressing projects successfully.
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