Find out how the Levelling Up Home Building Fund can support you

Find

Read out about some of the schemes we’ve supported

V & A Homes

Developer: V & A Homes (Yorkshire) Ltd

Scheme: Waterside, Knaresborough

V&A homes is a family-run SME developer based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Waterside, a stunning nine-home scheme overlooking the River Nidd, was their second Homes England-supported development.

The brownfield site, a former abattoir, is located on a steep waterside location which required complex groundworks to complete the build. Homes England worked closely with the team at all stages to provide both financial and specialist support.

Today all three three townhouses and six semi-detached homes are occupied, with residents benefitting from spectacular views and outstanding design.   

Following the success of Waterside, V&A homes is now completing a scheme of homes opposite Thirsk Racecourse and are working on their next scheme which will deliver 60 new homes in Sharow near Ripon.

How the Levelling Up Home Building fund enabled a first-time SME developer to achieve their development ambitions

Developer: Windyridge Property Investments

Scheme: Sienna Way, West Bromwich

In March 2022 Homes England supported Windyridge Property Investments, a new developer, with a £1.4m development loan to deliver Sienna Way, a scheme comprising of 9 homes based in West Bromwich.

As a first-time developer, Windyridge had experienced numerous funding barriers before receiving support from the Levelling Up Home Building Fund. 

Funding was legally contracted in 54 days from credit approval, demonstrating Homes England’s ability to provide SMEs access to much needed funding at pace.

Our regional team worked closely with the developer to design a flexible funding structure that incorporated possible delays in build completions and generous timeframes to sell the homes.

Completed in July 2023, Sienna Way meets the latest energy efficiency standards and provides a high-quality living environment for first time buyers, key workers and young families. Features include private courtyards, electric car charging points & underfloor heating. The scheme uses locally sourced, sustainable products, minimising waste in the construction process.

Jatinder Singh Gakhal, Managing Director, Windyridge, said:

As a new SME housing developer, we found securing development funding particularly challenging given the macro-economic factors affecting the construction industry. However, thanks to the team from Homes England, who provided exceptional support and guidance throughout the application process, we swiftly secured a development loan to fully fund our scheme. We look forward to delivering our first sustainable housing development to meet the needs of the local community in the Black Country and strongly recommend SMEs consider Homes England funding to help unlock their future development sites.

How a £4.5 million loan helped a Birmingham-based SME developer deliver 72 high quality independent-living apartments

Developer: Michael Blanning Trust Housing Association Ltd (MBTHA)

Scheme: The Shires, Birmingham

In 2021, Homes England supported the Michael Blanning Trust Housing Association (MBTHA) Ltd, an established SME retirement home operator, in the delivery of a new purpose-built retirement village near Birmingham.

MBTHA had already secured funding with Barclays, but required additional financial support in response to market challenges.

The flexibility of the development finance Homes England offers meant that we were able to  work in partnership with Barclays to provide mezzanine funding to unlock the potential of this outstanding scheme.

Today the scheme has achieved practical completion and is now in the sales stage. 

With its contemporary design, exceptional build quality and emphasis on green communal spaces, The Shires aims to transform the lives of residents by building a sense of community and providing a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere.

Rob Kennedy, Co- Chair of MBTHA said:

The need for exceptional accommodation for senior independent living has never been greater and our scheme in Moseley answers this. The project was many years in the making, with many challenges along the way and we are grateful for the shared vision and support of our funding partners, Barclays and Homes England, to enable the scheme to come to life.