Finance broker Arc & Co. has arranged an £8.22 million development facility for the construction of five residential properties in Oxfordshire, completing the transaction within three weeks of credit approval.
The broker was approached in early November 2025 by a developer requiring ground-up construction finance with completion mandated by the end of January. The timeframe presented challenges due to the Christmas holiday period, which typically slows development finance transactions.
Tender process and lender selection
Director Tom Berry initiated a competitive tender process to identify a lender capable of meeting the compressed timeline. Selection criteria included lender responsiveness during the holiday period, clarity of underwriting processes, and ability to meet the fixed January deadline.
Following the tender, Downing LLP was selected as the funding partner. Lending director Will Powell issued terms aligned with the client’s schedule and commercial requirements. The loan completed in three weeks from approval, enabling the developer to meet the vendor’s deadline and proceed with the scheme.
“When the client shared that he must complete by the end of January, we knew that the Christmas period would likely interfere with the time we had to progress the loan and complete,” said Tom Berry. “That concern was completely mitigated by Downing. Will Powell and his team made the entire loan process seem effortless.”
Will Powell commented: “Downing was delighted to complete on a complex housing scheme of five bespoke units in Oxfordshire. A big thanks goes to Arc & Co. for the introduction and for their assistance in closing the transaction down in three weeks from approval.”
Market context
The transaction demonstrates continued lender appetite for residential development projects despite seasonal constraints. The three-week completion timeline contrasts with typical development finance processes, which often extend to several months from initial application to drawdown.
The deal adds to activity in Oxfordshire’s residential development sector, where demand for new housing continues to drive construction projects across various price points.
