Property Development Finance in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a prime location in the South East for property development, offering a mix of rolling countryside, thriving market towns, major cities and excellent commuter connections to London and the South Coast.
With beautiful landscapes, including both the South Downs and the New Forest National Parks, and notable urban and suburban areas such as historic Winchester, Basingstoke, Southampton, Portsmouth, Farnborough, Andover, and Fleet, Hampshire is the ideal spot for successful property development projects.
What’s more, because it’s right in the middle of southern England, Hampshire has excellent transport links to London, Gatwick and Heathrow Airports, and other major cities like Reading, Oxford, Brighton, Bristol and Bournemouth. It also boasts a range of cross-channel ferry services to mainland Europe.
This makes Hampshire a prime location for all demographics such as families and commuters looking for somewhere peaceful in the suburbs, retirees seeking high-quality homes in scenic spaces, or students and young professionals looking for city living.
We have been providing property development finance in Hampshire and the wider South East for over a decade, successfully funding numerous projects for satisfied clients.
What You Need to Know about Property Development in Hampshire
As with any project, property development in Hampshire follows national planning regulations, but there are additional considerations to keep in mind, especially in rural areas. Developing within the South Downs National Park or the New Forest National Park may require additional approvals, as these locations are subject to strict environmental and design regulations.
For example, in the New Forest, planning applications may be subject to:
- Community Infrastructure Levy
- Energy Efficiency Regulations
- Nutrient Neutral Development Rules
- European Nature Conservation Area Rules
- Developer Contributions
- Monitoring Charges For Legal Agreements
Each borough and district council in Hampshire has local planning policies, which may include Neighbourhood Development Plans that affect what can be built and where. With many historic towns and villages, developers should also check whether their proposed site is in a conservation area or subject to heritage restrictions. In the South Downs National Park for example, there are also Tree and Conservation Areas to consider.
Planning applications in Hampshire typically take between 8 and 16 weeks to process. The statutory time limits (from validation) are:
- General planning applications (e.g., most individual property developments) – 8 weeks
- Applications for major development – 13 weeks
- Applications requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment – 16 weeks
Due to its proximity to both London and the coast, Hampshire has strict planning regulations regarding Green Belt development, flood risk areas, and biodiversity protection for local wildlife and protected species (including bats, dormice, reptiles, ponies and great crested newts), may need to be addressed in planning applications.
Flood risk assessments are also crucial for developments near the River Test, Itchen, Avon and Hamble, as well as coastal areas around The Solent, Southampton Water and Portsmouth.
The Hampshire Property Market
Hampshire is well known for its strong property market, with high demand for homes across all price ranges and sizes. The county is particularly sought after for its excellent schools, colleges and universities, coastal lifestyle, and quick access to London.
Hampshire boasts strong train links to London Waterloo, making towns such as Winchester, Basingstoke, and Fleet extremely attractive to commuters.
Key rail routes include:
- The South Western Main Line connects Winchester, Basingstoke, and Farnborough to London Waterloo, as well as Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth.
- The Portsmouth Direct Line serves Guildford, Petersfield, and Portsmouth, providing quick links to London and the coast.
- The West Coastway Line connects Southampton to Portsmouth and Brighton.
As with elsewhere in the South East, detached and semi-detached family homes, particularly those with 3 to 5 bedrooms, are in constant high demand. Hampshire’s varied property market also includes sought-after waterfront homes along The Solent, as well as country estates in the rural heartland of the county. In the major cities of Southampton and Portsmouth, student living and city apartments are likely to prove popular.
Meanwhile, in suburban and rural areas such as Alresford, Romsey, Andover, Eastleigh, Havant and the New Forest and South Downs, demand remains high for family homes with access to good facilities, green spaces and with gardens.
Property Developments We Have Financed in Hampshire
We’ve successfully financed a range of property development projects in Hampshire including flats, apartments, terraced houses and large detached family homes.
- 2 x 3 Bed Semi-Detached Homes in Alton, Hampshire – £400k Loan
- Land purchase and build in Wickham, Southampton – £850k Loan
- Four Terraced Properties in Wittering, Chichester – £875k Loan
- Farm House Conversion in Yapton – £1.2m Loan
Why choose an independent broker in Hampshire?
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 Hampshire
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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