Property Development Finance in East Sussex
East Sussex
East Sussex is one of the jewels in the crown of the wider South East – and one of the most desirable places to live in the UK. With vibrant cities like Brighton, historic towns like Lewes, Uckfield and Eastbourne, and quaint villages in the rolling hills of the South Downs, it’s a property development hotspot.
With great transport links into London, East Sussex has a large commuter population of people who want to work in the city but raise a family somewhere quieter and safer. Whether you’re converting a house into student flats in Brighton, building a family home in one of the many towns or converting an old barn into a luxury country abode, demand is never in short supply.
If you’ve found the perfect spot for a new build or an old property for renovation, securing financing doesn’t have to be difficult. We’ve been providing property development finance in East Sussex for over a decade, with countless successful projects and happy clients on our books.
What You Need to Know about Property Development in East Sussex
Property development in East Sussex is broadly the same as everywhere else in the country. However, there are some specific considerations given that much of the countryside falls in the South Downs National Park or the High Weald National Landscape. Also, Local and Neighbourhood Plans are in place in towns such as Eastbourne, Hastings, and Lewes which must be considered as part of any application. Typically, developments that sit within the South Downs National Park, or in various conservation areas will be subject to greater scrutiny to get planning permission.
In particular, East Sussex is a hotspot for the endangered Great Crested Newt. These amphibians are dependent on ponds and lakes to breed and need to be considered in any property development project.
To be approved for planning permission, East Sussex County Council states that:
“Unless it can be definitively demonstrated that there is no risk to great crested newts or their habitats, you may need a licence to carry out development work where the species and or its protected habitats are present. There are now three licensing options in the East Sussex County Council area. These are:
- joining the District Licence Scheme and being authorised by East Sussex County Council as part of the planning application process; or
- applying directly to Natural England for a licence after you have received planning permission; or
- by working with a registered ecologist under the low-impact class licence”
The East Sussex Property Market
East Sussex boasts some of the highest property and land values in the UK and consistently has a high demand for properties. However, that demand is different depending on the location and demographics.
In Brighton and Eastbourne in particular, flats and small houses are in high demand, with family housing becoming more popular on the outskirts and near schools. Because of the old buildings with limited space for new development, many existing flats and apartments are in converted townhouses.
In the suburbs and satellite towns, 2-4 bedroom detached and semi-detached houses are highly sought after by young families. In particular, developers need to factor in off-street parking, gardens and access to schools. We’re also seeing increasing demand for properties with eco-friendly features such as solar panels, EV chargers, heat pumps, triple-glazed windows and high levels of insulation to reduce energy consumption.
Similarly, properties in towns with direct access to London such as Brighton, Lewes, Eastbourne, Uckfield, and Crowborough could also prove popular with commuters, opening up a wider potential buyer market.
Property Developments We Have Financed in East Sussex
We’ve successfully financed a range of property development projects in East Sussex including flats, apartments, terraced houses and large detached family homes.
- New Apartment Build in Eastbourne – £1.2m Loan
- 4-Bedroom Detached Property in Hastings – £680k Loan
- 5-bed Detached House in Groombridge – £500k Loan (Renovation)
- 3 x 5-bed Detached Homes in Bexhill – £1.2m Loan
- Barn Conversion in Lewes – £1.5m Loan
- 3-Bed Detached House in Heathfield – £300k Loan
Why choose an independent broker in East Sussex?
We are unlike banks in that we lend our own funds as independent lenders. Based in West Sussex, we have a huge amount of experience in property development projects in the South East of England, meaning we can offer relevant help and advice right at the moment you need it. Not only is our development finance quicker and cheaper than banks, we are also a supportive ear who understands the challenges of the local market.
Types of Property Development Finance in East Sussex
Development Finance
Development finance for private residential property developments in the South East UK.
Equity Finance
Equity finance for property developers in return for a share of the development’s profit.
Bridging Loans
Bridging loans for developers to provide short-term finance to ‘bridge the gap in projects.
Pre-completion Loans
Pre-completion finance loans for property developments that are very close to completion.
Exit Finance
Exit finance is used to repay outstanding development finance so that it's ready for sale.
What Our Developers Have To Say
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