Case Study

Case Study: Sutton Residential Development

How we arranged development finance for a residential conversion project in Sutton, Sutton. From initial enquiry to completion in 14 months.

By Construction Capital•15 February 2026

This case study illustrates how Construction Capital arranged development finance for a residential conversion project in Sutton, Sutton, where average property values are £380 per square foot.

The Project

A developer with three completed projects approached us to fund a permitted development conversion of a former commercial building into residential apartments in Sutton.

Key Numbers

| Metric | Value | |--------|-------| | Location | Sutton, Sutton | | Project Type | Residential Development | | GDV | £3,040K | | Build Period | 14 months | | Local Rental Yield | 4.2% | | Planning Approval Rate | 78% |

The Challenge

The developer needed to move quickly — the vendor had set a 6-week exchange deadline. Traditional bank funding would have taken 8-12 weeks, risking the loss of the site. Additionally, the developer wanted to maximise leverage to preserve capital for a second project in the pipeline.

Our Solution

We structured a combined senior debt and mezzanine facility:

  • Senior debt: 60% of GDV at 7.5% per annum, providing the primary development funding with staged drawdowns
  • Mezzanine finance: Top-up funding taking total leverage to 85% of costs, secured by second charge
  • Total developer equity: Reduced to just 15% of total project costs
  • The key was finding a senior lender comfortable with Sutton's market dynamics. Sutton's 78% planning approval rate and 20 active development sites gave lenders confidence in the local market.

    The Timeline

  • Week 1: Initial enquiry received, site visited, indicative terms issued within 48 hours
  • Week 2-3: RICS valuation instructed, planning consultant engaged, QS cost plan reviewed
  • Week 4: Formal offers issued by both senior and mezzanine lenders
  • Week 5-6: Legal completion and first drawdown — meeting the vendor's deadline
  • The Outcome

    The project completed on time and within budget at 14 months. All units sold within 3 months of practical completion at or above the projected GDV.

    The developer's return on equity exceeded 25%, significantly enhanced by the leverage structure we arranged. They have since returned to fund two further Sutton projects through our panel.

    Lessons for Sutton Developers

    1. Speed matters — Having a broker with established lender relationships cuts weeks off the process 2. Leverage enhances returns — Combining senior and mezzanine finance significantly improved the developer's ROE 3. Local knowledge counts — Understanding Sutton's planning environment and market values helped secure competitive terms 4. Exit strategy flexibility — With 4.2% rental yields in Sutton, developers have the option to sell or hold

    Discuss your Sutton project with us — indicative terms within 24 hours.

    Case study arranged by Construction Capital. Details have been adjusted to protect client confidentiality. Rates and terms are indicative.

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