The Intermediary – October 2025 - Flipbook - Page 55
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
land has not been unlocked to allow it.”
The shortage of traditional development
opportunities is exactly what is driving creativity
in the first place. Bowley notes that even within
strict planning constraints, there are still profitable
corners to be found, especially in Permitted
Development (PD).
“Five years ago, I thought all the best buildings
may have been converted by now,” he adds.
“But we’re still seeing good opportunities
coming through […] you’re ultimately buying a
structure that’s hopefully sound, which needs
repurposing into something that is demanded in
today’s market and is ESG friendly.”
Creativity is also reshaping the finance
landscape, with lenders adapting by offering more
integrated, relationship-led solutions.
Kerschbaumer says: “Lenders are coming full
circle, no longer focusing solely on development
or buy-to-let funding, but looking at the entire
lifecycle: acquisition, development and term
debt. In such a competitive market, the question
becomes how to truly differentiate.
“The answer lies in relationship-based
lending to discourage clients from going to
competitors, which will be a key focus for lenders
going forward.”
C H A NG I NG T H E NA R R AT I V E
Despite frustration over planning
delays and political interference, the
panel calls for greater collaboration and
accountability across Government
to rebuild trust, depoliticise
housing, and recognise the vital
role developers play in delivering
high quality homes.
For all the frustration circling planning and policy,
one theme keeps resurfacing: collaboration. The
panel agrees that the will exists, but the ‘how’
remains stubbornly out of reach.
Bowley says: “There’s just zero accountability.
The current administration has high-flying goals,
particularly with the future supply of housing
which feels unachievable.
“Perhaps some more accountability would be
great, getting the basics right is the first step in the
road to improving the system.”
For Powell, the real problem is politics.
“Why should housing be so political?” he asks.
“Fundamentally, housing is a need, not a want.
Everyone needs somewhere to live.”
He notes that developers are already burdened
by working within “the most heavily taxed industry
in the UK” and that too often, “it shows a total
lack of understanding on how developments are
put together.”
He concludes: “The narrative surrounding
development in this country is that developers are
greedy criminal cowboys that profiteer.
“But the private sector generally is in it for
the right reasons. More credit needs to be given
to the good work it does in bringing forward
quality housing.” ●
