LendInvest's Larkin tells of lender's funding of £5.5m development deal on historic site

Developers can bring old or disused properties back into circulation in ways that add social and economic value to areas, says LendInvest'sd irector of development Steve Larkin.

He was speaking as news emerged that the specialist property finance lender has provided a £5.5 million loan to experienced borrower, Ross Harper, to fund the development of 24 new homes in Glasgow, Scotland.

The development finance loan is funding the conversion of a Grade II listed former Belmont Church 2 miles outside of Glasgow city centre, with good transport links into the city. The developer acquired the site in 2017 with planning permission already in place for the proposed works.

Upon completion the historic site will have been converted into 21 one, two and three-bed flats, and 3 two-bed mews houses with small private gardens. These homes will be marketed to young professionals who seek quick access to the city.

Construction is expected to be completed by late October 2018. The total GDV is forecast at just under £8.5 million.

This deal announcement coincides with the second Scottish LendInvest Property Development Academy which will be hosted in Glasgow today. Once again, the academy will equip 25 aspiring Scottish property developers with the essential knowledge they need to get their projects off the ground and see them through to completion.

The academy’s Scottish courses, the first of which was officially launched last year by Kevin Stewart MSP, the Scottish Housing Minister, are supported by Homes for Scotland, the voice of the Scottish homebuilding industry. And Larkin said:

“The potential for development in Glasgow is huge, and projects such as Belmont are a key example of where developers can bring old or disused properties back into circulation in ways that add social and economic value to their local areas.

“The untapped potential in the area is why initiatives such as our Property Development Academy are so important. Ensuring local developers are armed with right tools to get started with their projects is essential to helping add new homes to Scotland’s housing stock.”

Ross Harper, Owner of Plutus Developments Ltd added:

“Not only do LendInvest products work for developers, but the team deliver at every stage of a deal. By providing crucial support, and creating a partnership that I hope will grow, I am already looking to LendInvest to fund my future deals.

"The Academy in Glasgow is a perfect example of the time that LendInvest takes to educate their developers in making the right choices for their projects and their business.“