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Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
At Ives & Co, our specialist commercial conveyancing team works closely with property developers, landowners, and investors across the UK. As planning policy and funding mechanisms evolve, so does our legal advice – keeping you ahead of the curve in a competitive market.
➡️ A Quick Recap: What Is the National Housing Bank?
In 2024, the UK government announced plans for a National Housing Bank – a financial body designed to unlock stalled developments, fund affordable housing, and support SME housebuilders struggling with access to capital.
Now in 2025, it’s starting to shape real change by:
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Offering low-cost loans for infrastructure and site preparation
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Helping local authorities and housing associations fund new builds
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Supporting land remediation for brownfield development
➡️ Why Developers Should Pay Attention
Whether you’re building homes on surplus council land or converting old sites into multi-units, the National Housing Bank could become your go-to source of early-stage finance.
It’s especially promising for:
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Small and medium-sized developers
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Projects with high upfront costs (like access roads or utilities)
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Mixed-use or regeneration schemes
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Sites with planning potential but funding challenges
➡️ Legal Considerations for 2025 Developers
With new funding options come new legal complexities. Here’s what developers should bear in mind:
✅ Land acquisition due diligence – especially if linked to government-backed funding
✅ Infrastructure agreements (S106, CIL, highways) may require tighter compliance
✅ Lender security terms – ensure funding structures are clear and legally sound
✅ Planning restrictions and conditions – often stricter when public finance is involved
➡️ The Bigger Picture
The National Housing Bank is part of a broader 2025 shift toward:
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Unlocking brownfield land
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De-risking early-stage development
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Reducing housing inequality through funding access
For developers, it’s a rare moment of government alignment with industry needs – but success will depend on understanding both the funding and the fine print.
➡️ Ready to Make the Most of New Development Funding?
At Ives & Co, we understand the challenges that developers face – from navigating complex land acquisitions to securing infrastructure funding and managing the legal demands of public-backed finance. Our commercial conveyancing team works closely with clients to ensure every agreement is watertight, every obligation is clearly understood, and every opportunity is maximised.
Whether you’re unlocking a brownfield site or scaling up your development pipeline in 2025, we’re here to provide clear, strategic legal support that keeps your project moving smoothly from start to finish.
While new funding options could help developers bring difficult sites forward, careful legal due diligence and clearly structured planning, infrastructure and lender agreements remain essential.
If you are planning or financing a property-development project in England or Wales, please contact one of our offices, email quotes@ivesandco.com or call us to discuss how our commercial conveyancing team can assist.
