Alan Edwards delves into the key criteria lenders evaluate before approving development finance, offering insights on how to strengthen your case. He explains loan to cost ratios, contingency buffers, and emphasizes the necessity of a clear and credible exit strategy. Alan discusses the importance of building credibility by showcasing developer experience and assessing site viability alongside gross development value (GDV). He stresses supporting site viability with strong evidence, verifying funding structure, and demonstrating liquidity. The episode outlines primary exit routes, credible exits, and addresses planning and legal risks. It concludes with a summary of the five critical criteria and contact information.

(0:00) Key criteria lenders check before approving development finance

(1:09) Strengthening your case for securing finance

(1:53) Understanding loan to cost ratios and contingency buffers

(2:31) Importance of a clear and credible exit strategy

(3:17) Building credibility and showcasing developer experience

(4:54) Assessing site viability and gross development value (GDV)

(6:14) Supporting site viability with strong evidence

(7:10) Verifying funding structure and demonstrating liquidity

(9:03) Primary exit routes and what makes an exit credible

(10:01) Assessing and addressing planning and legal risks

(11:40) Summary and recap of the five critical criteria

(13:38) Contact information and closing remarks