Sustainable investment manager Downing LLP has continued its expansion drive with the completion of development loans worth £11.1 million during the last month, building on strong growth.
The latest deals include residential developments in Wakefield, West Yorkshire; East Studdal in Kent; Hitchin in Hertfordshire; and Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire with new and existing clients.
Downing’s property finance team recently passed the significant £300 million milestone for commitments, which has been achieved without any loss of capital or interest despite tough market conditions.
The developments will each deliver between two and twelve family homes targeted at owner occupiers.
Downing LLP’s property finance team focuses on deploying investors’ funds as secured loans to property developers delivering residential-led schemes nationwide, as well as non-speculative commercial developments, and specialist sub-sectors such as student accommodation.
The team believes its investors can benefit from debt investment secured against property development projects by targeting attractive yield through a “safety-first” lens, focusing on relationship-based sourcing, and working with experienced counterparties.
Parik Chandra, Partner and Head of Specialist Lending, Downing LLP, said: “The latest deals highlight our ability to continue growing the portfolio in very tough macro conditions and a competitive market. We remain committed to supporting SME developers in the face of challenging conditions.”
Downing LLP typically lends between £1 million and £25 million to experienced developers with the ability to go higher by exception. It lends up to 90% loan-to-cost and 70% loan-to-gross-development value.