Development Finance for Cardiff Property Developers
Specialist funding for residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments across Cardiff and South Wales. Access 50+ lenders through a single application. Indicative terms within 48 hours.
Cardiff's Leading Development Finance Broker
Cardiff Development Finance provides specialist development funding solutions for property developers across the Welsh capital and the wider South Wales region. As part of the Construction Capital network, we combine deep local market expertise with access to over 50 specialist development lenders, ensuring Cardiff developers secure the most competitive terms available for their projects.
The Cardiff property market represents the strongest development opportunity in Wales. With the £1.2 billion Cardiff Capital Region City Deal driving infrastructure investment, the South Wales Metro transforming transport connectivity, and the Development Bank of Wales offering co-funding opportunities not available anywhere in England, Cardiff developers enjoy unique advantages that our brokerage is perfectly positioned to leverage.
Whether you are an established Welsh developer with a pipeline of schemes, an SME housebuilder delivering your first 3-unit project in Splott, or a cross-border developer from Bristol expanding into the Welsh market, Cardiff Development Finance arranges the right funding structure for your project. We work with senior development lenders, mezzanine providers, stretch senior specialists, and JV equity partners to deliver bespoke funding packages from £250,000 to £8 million and above.
Development Finance Solutions for Cardiff
Cardiff's development market demands flexible, fast, and competitive funding. We arrange every type of development finance facility for projects across the city, from Cardiff Bay waterfront schemes to Dumballs Road regeneration projects.
Senior Development Finance
Up to 70% LTCThe foundation of most Cardiff developments. Up to 70% LTC with competitive rates from specialist lenders who understand the South Wales market. Ideal for experienced developers with strong track records.
Stretch Senior Finance
Up to 85% LTCHigher leverage without the complexity of a mezzanine layer. Up to 85% LTC from a single lender, reducing legal costs and simplifying your capital stack. Popular for Cardiff Bay and Central Square schemes.
Mezzanine Finance
Up to 90% LTCFill the funding gap between senior debt and equity. Combined with senior lending, mezzanine can take total leverage to 85-90% of costs, significantly reducing the equity you need to commit to your Cardiff project.
JV Equity Partnerships
Up to 100% fundingFor developers with strong schemes but limited equity. JV partners provide the equity alongside senior debt, funding up to 100% of project costs in exchange for a profit share. Proven model for larger Cardiff schemes.
Development Exit Finance
Up to 75% LTVRefinance your development loan on completion, releasing your capital for the next project while unsold units are marketed. Essential for Cardiff developers managing multi-scheme pipelines.
Permitted Development Finance
Up to 75% LTCSpecialist funding for office-to-residential and commercial-to-residential conversions under PD rights. Cardiff has significant PD conversion opportunity in the city centre and fringe locations.
Why Cardiff Is Wales's Strongest Development Market
Cardiff sits at the heart of a development boom unlike anything seen in Wales in a generation. The Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, a £1.2 billion investment programme spanning 10 local authorities, is transforming infrastructure across South Wales and creating development opportunities that attract both local Welsh developers and cross-border investors from Bristol, London, and the Midlands.
The Central Square regeneration has repositioned Cardiff as a major UK city centre, anchored by the BBC Wales headquarters and Foster + Partners-designed transport interchange. Meanwhile, Cardiff Bay continues its transformation from historic docklands to a premium waterfront destination with strong demand for residential, commercial, and leisure schemes.
For developers, Cardiff offers a compelling proposition compared to English cities. Land values remain significantly below Bristol (just 30 miles east across the Severn Bridge), yet achieved sales values in premium locations like Cardiff Bay increasingly rival those of comparable English waterfront schemes. The result is stronger development margins that attract both established and emerging developers. Established residential areas like Canton and Butetown offer lower-risk conversion and infill opportunities, while the growing build-to-rent (BTR) and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sectors add further diversity to the development landscape.
The South Wales Metro investment is connecting previously underserved areas like Splott and the eastern suburbs to the city centre, opening new residential development corridors. Dumballs Road alone is set to deliver thousands of new homes as part of one of the largest urban regeneration projects in the UK, creating a sustained pipeline of development finance opportunities.
Crucially, Welsh developers can access the Development Bank of Wales — a unique funding source unavailable to those building in England. This institution provides co-funding alongside private sector lenders, often reducing developer equity requirements to as little as 10-15% of project costs. Our deep relationships with the Development Bank of Wales team allow us to structure deals that maximise this advantage for our clients.
Cardiff Development Finance Calculator
Estimate your development finance costs with our calculator. Default values reflect typical Cardiff market averages. For a personalised quote, contact our team.
Cardiff Development Finance Calculator
Enter your project details and click Calculate to see indicative loan terms. Default values reflect typical Cardiff market averages.
Cardiff Development Areas We Cover
We arrange development finance across all key Cardiff development areas. Click any area to explore local market conditions, lender appetite, and recent scheme approvals.
Cardiff Bay
18 active schemesCardiff Bay is one of the most dynamic development areas in Wales, with ongoing waterfront regeneration, BTR schemes, and mixed-use developments transforming this former docklands area.
Central Square
12 active schemesCentral Square is Cardiff's flagship regeneration zone surrounding Cardiff Central station, home to BBC Wales headquarters and major commercial and residential developments.
Splott
9 active schemesSplott is an emerging development hotspot in east Cardiff, benefiting from the South Wales Metro investment and proximity to the city centre. Land values remain competitive, attracting SME housebuilders.
Butetown
7 active schemesButetown sits between the city centre and Cardiff Bay, making it a prime location for residential conversions and new-build schemes leveraging excellent transport links.
Canton
6 active schemesCanton is a popular residential area west of the city centre with strong rental demand. Smaller infill sites and conversion projects are the primary development opportunity here.
Dumballs Road
15 active schemesDumballs Road is the site of one of Cardiff's largest regeneration projects, with plans for thousands of new homes, commercial space, and public amenities as part of the wider South Cardiff masterplan.
Recent Cardiff Development Projects
See how we have helped Cardiff developers secure the right funding for their projects. From first-time developers to established housebuilders, we deliver results.
Waterfront Apartment Scheme, Cardiff Bay
24-unit new build waterfront apartments in Cardiff Bay. £4.2M stretch senior facility secured for first-time developer at 70% LTC.
Office-to-Residential Conversion, Central Square
16-unit PD conversion near Central Square. £2.1M arranged in 3 weeks with Development Bank of Wales co-funding. 15% equity requirement.
New Build Housing Scheme, Splott
8 new build houses in Splott. £1.4M senior plus mezzanine at 85% LTC for equity-constrained SME builder.
What Cardiff Developers Say About Us
Rated 4.8 out of 5 by property developers across South Wales. Here is what our clients say about working with Cardiff Development Finance.
“Secured our Cardiff Bay waterfront scheme in under 3 weeks when two high-street banks had turned us down. Matt understood the local market and matched us with the perfect lender.”
“As a Bristol developer expanding into Cardiff, I needed a broker who knew the Welsh market inside out. The Development Bank of Wales co-funding they arranged saved us over £200K in equity.”
“From our first conversation to drawdown took just 16 days. Their lender relationships in South Wales are second to none. Would not hesitate to recommend.”
Cardiff's Development Finance Lender Landscape
The South Wales development lending market is served by a diverse mix of funders, from the unique public-sector support of the Development Bank of Wales to specialist national lenders and challenger banks. Cardiff Development Finance maintains active relationships with all key players, ensuring our clients access the full spectrum of available funding.
The Development Bank of Wales is the standout advantage for Welsh developers. As a publicly funded institution, it provides development loans at competitive rates and can co-fund alongside private lenders, materially reducing developer equity requirements. This co-funding model is unique to Wales and creates a genuine competitive edge for developers choosing to build in Cardiff over comparable English cities.
Alongside the Development Bank, our panel includes specialist development lenders active in the Cardiff market, challenger banks such as Principality Building Society (headquartered in Cardiff), and national specialist lenders with dedicated Welsh market teams. Welsh Government schemes including Help to Buy Wales further support sales velocity for residential developers, improving exit certainty and strengthening applications to lenders.
Understanding which lenders have appetite for specific Cardiff locations, scheme types, and developer profiles is critical to securing the best terms. A lender enthusiastic about Cardiff Bay waterfront schemes may have no interest in a Splott conversion project. Our role is to match your project to the lenders most likely to offer the best terms, leveraging 20+ years of relationships in the South Wales market.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cardiff Development Finance
Answers to the most common questions from Cardiff property developers about development finance, the application process, and local market conditions. For more questions, visit our full FAQ page.
Development finance is a short-term loan used by property developers to fund construction, conversion, or refurbishment projects. In Cardiff, development finance typically covers 60-90% of total project costs depending on the facility type. Loans are drawn down in stages as the build progresses, with interest rolled up and repaid on exit through sale or refinance. Cardiff's growing market, supported by the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, makes it an attractive area for lenders.
Ready to Fund Your Cardiff Development?
Get indicative terms within 48 hours. Our team of South Wales development finance specialists are ready to structure the right funding for your project.