Chapter 01
Challenge
The developer wanted to acquire the church at auction on a 28-day timeline. Full development finance was not deliverable inside that window, and would not have been drawable in any case ahead of planning.
All Client Success Stories
Bridging & Planning
A Twelve-Month Bridge Underwritten Around Planning Risk
Funding with the End in Mind.
A regional developer, a redundant Grade II listed church, and a planning application with no certainty of consent.
Bridging Finance•Grade II Listed Church•Auction Acquisition & Planning•North of England•Completed
Funding Snapshot
North of England
Funding Type
Bridging Finance
Property
Grade II Listed Church
Location
North of England
Purpose
Auction Acquisition & Planning
Sector
Heritage Conversion
Status
Completed
Chapter 02
Strategy
We structured the acquisition as a twelve-month bridge, sized to leave a contingency reserve for planning consultant costs and a possible appeal. Two exit routes were modelled in writing before terms were requested: full development finance on grant of consent, and a resale to a specialist heritage developer if refused.
Chapter 03
Funding
A £2.3m bridge from a specialist lender comfortable with heritage assets. Interest retained for the full term. Non-utilisation covenant negotiated out.
Chapter 04
Outcome
Consent was granted in month nine. The bridge was refinanced onto development finance within four weeks of the decision notice.
Chapter 05
Lesson Learned
A bridge to permission is only safe if both exits, success and refusal, are underwritten before day one.
The DGL Philosophy
Funding with the
End in Mind.
Every funding recommendation should begin with the end goal, not the product.
Understanding the client's objectives first allows funding to be structured around long-term success rather than short-term convenience.
That philosophy underpins every transaction completed by DGL Commercial Finance.
“A bridge to permission is only safe if both exits, success and refusal, are underwritten before day one.
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Other client success stories.
DGL Insight
Many commercial refinancing opportunities are driven by more than replacing an existing loan. By taking time to understand the client's wider objectives, it's often possible to structure funding that supports future acquisitions, improves cash flow or creates greater flexibility.
That's why every conversation at DGL Commercial Finance starts with the end in mind.
A Similar Situation?
Could this approach work for you?
Similar funding strategies may be suitable if you're:
- Refinancing a commercial investment property
- Looking to release equity for future acquisitions
- Restructuring existing borrowing
- Purchasing through a limited company
- Building or expanding a commercial property portfolio
Independent Advice
Access to Specialist Lenders
Structured Funding
End-to-End Support
- Funding Strategy•
- Lender Selection•
- Transaction Management•
- Professional Coordination
Funding with the End in Mind.
In Closing
Every transaction tells a story.
Ours always begins with understanding where our client wants to finish.
Funding with the End in Mind.