In development finance, no two projects are the same.
A regeneration scheme in Leeds might face planning complexities, while a mixed-use development in Bristol could be influenced by shifting local demand.
Yet amid these differences, one truth holds: understanding the local market is essential to navigating challenges and securing success.
For brokers, the ability to partner with regional experts isn’t just an advantage – it’s a necessity.
The evolving landscape of development finance
The development finance market is becoming increasingly complex.
Rising construction costs, supply chain pressures, and evolving sustainability regulations are reshaping how projects are funded and delivered.
For brokers, these pressures bring both challenges and opportunities: the challenge of finding flexible funding solutions and the opportunity to strengthen their value by working with professionals who align finance with the unique demands of each project.
Why regional expertise matters
Property development doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach.
Each region has its own planning frameworks, market drivers, and infrastructure constraints.
In the North, regeneration projects often rely on infrastructure investment, while in the South, high land values and density challenges dominate decision-making.
Success in this environment requires more than technical understanding – it demands local insight.
Regional specialists are uniquely positioned to address these differences.
Their knowledge of local planning authorities, emerging market trends, and project-specific challenges helps brokers navigate what can often be unpredictable territory.
Engaging these professionals early in the process ensures funding aligns with both immediate needs and long-term objectives, fostering confidence with clients.
Navigating today’s challenges together
The development finance market is not without its pressures.
Rising interest rates and inflation have increased borrowing costs, while supply chain disruptions continue to stretch delivery timelines.
Sustainability requirements, such as biodiversity net gain obligations, are adding complexity to project planning, requiring developers to integrate environmental considerations alongside financial and logistical goals.
These challenges place brokers in a pivotal role, aligning their clients’ ambitions with the realities of today’s market.
By working closely with regional specialists, brokers can secure funding solutions designed to address evolving risks, adapt to delays, and maintain project viability.
Collaboration: A competitive edge
The most effective development finance outcomes are born from collaboration.
Brokers, developers, and lenders must work together as a cohesive team, combining their expertise to navigate challenges and deliver results.
Regional specialists serve as the critical bridge in this partnership, connecting local market insights with the practicalities of funding and execution.
For brokers, working with these professionals ensures their clients’ funding needs are met with precision and care.
For developers, it creates confidence that the lender understands their vision and will help them achieve it.
These partnerships not only resolve immediate issues but also establish a foundation for long-term success.
Blending local insight with strategic resources
At HTB, we’ve built our development finance model around the principle that local knowledge drives better outcomes.
Our lending directors combine deep regional insight with senior-level expertise, supporting projects from initial enquiry through to completion.
Their role goes beyond structuring finance – they act as collaborative partners to brokers and developers, helping them navigate challenges with confidence and precision.
By embedding these professionals in the regions they serve, we ensure that brokers and developers benefit from solutions that reflect both market realities and project ambitions.
It’s this combination of local insight and national resources that sets our approach apart.
Looking to the future
The development finance market offers significant opportunities, but capitalising on them requires adaptability, collaboration, and local expertise.
For brokers, partnering with regional specialists is more than just a practical step – it’s a strategic decision that ensures funding aligns with the unique demands of their clients’ projects.
At HTB, we’re committed to strengthening our regional presence and investing in the expertise brokers and developers need.
To support this, we are expanding our team of lending directors – senior professionals who combine local market insight with strategic vision.
These roles are at the heart of our mission to shape the future of development finance.
If you’re an experienced professional passionate about collaboration and delivering bespoke solutions, we’d love to hear from you. T
ogether, we can ensure brokers and developers across the UK have the support they need to succeed.
Neil Leitch is managing director, development Finance, at Hampshire Trust Bank
