Aria in Action
From legal delays to flexible drawdowns, a two-year phased facility tailored to client ambition.
When a long-standing developer client needed a financial solution for a complex, high-value redevelopment, Aria Finance delivered more than just capital, we brought structure, speed, and strategic thinking.
In this latest Aria in Action story, we secured a £17.7M development facility to transform a former commercial site into two new blocks combining residential flats and commercial units including affordable housing aligned with local planning goals.
Our client, an experienced developer whom we’ve worked with for several years, had ambitious plans to regenerate a previously commercial site into a vibrant, mixed-use community space. They had secured planning permission but required expert support and serious funding firepower to bring their plans to life.
The site, originally acquired in 2020, presented several layers of complexity. Firstly, it was occupied by a scaffolding business under a lease that expired in 2021. However, legal disputes followed, adding friction to the project timeline. At the same time, planning approvals though ultimately successful had been slower than expected, putting pressure on the original bridging facility.
With delays stacking up and the project’s scope evolving, the client needed flexibility, fast approvals, and a structured funding solution that would adapt to each phase of the build from demolition to sales.
Aria in Action
We started by extending the original bridging loan multiple times to ensure the project could progress while legal and planning issues were resolved. Once the client was ready to move into the construction phase, we acted swiftly to secure a new £17,765,000 facility covering all development and ancillary costs.
This 24-month solution included 18 months for build and 6 months for sales with phased drawdowns aligned to key construction milestones. Thanks to our close relationship with the lender, and a history of delivery with this client, we were able to negotiate a higher-than-standard loan-to-GDV ratio to meet the full scope of the project.
Our existing valuation from the bridging phase, combined with early lender engagement, enabled us to complete the development finance in just over two weeks, a vital turnaround for a time-sensitive deal.
As a result, the developer has a robust, flexible facility in place allowing construction to begin with confidence and ensuring all essential costs are covered. The mixed-use scheme, including a significant proportion of affordable housing, is set to enhance the local area while delivering strong investment returns.
This case demonstrates Aria Finance’s ability to structure agile, client-centric development finance even when the path to funding is anything but straightforward.
Whether it’s tenant disputes, planning delays, or evolving project demands, we don’t just navigate complexity we make it manageable.
Have a scheme that needs structure and speed?
Talk to Aria about development finance that’s built around your clients.
