Unlocking Custom Build Potential in South Cambridge: A Success Story
Unlocking Custom Build Potential in South Cambridge: A Success Story
In the world of custom and self-build development, navigating local policy requirements can make or break the success of a project. Recently, Custom Build Homes — alongside our finance partner, BuildStore Mortgage Services — helped resolve a significant challenge facing a development in South Cambridge.
A restrictive Section 106 agreement required plots to be occupied by qualifying self-builders for three full years, including any subsequent owners within that period. Unsurprisingly, this raised major concerns for mortgage lenders, who were reluctant to offer finance on plots tied to such long-term occupancy conditions.
The impact was immediate: Custom Build Homes was securing strong offers from committed and financially capable buyers, yet mortgage applications were blocked purely because of the covenant.
To find a solution, Custom Build Homes asked BuildStore to approach the CEOs of ten major UK mortgage lenders. All ten confirmed the same thing — the three-year clause was a deal-breaker. With this evidence, we worked closely with the local authority, our clients and their lawyers to renegotiate the terms, reducing the restriction to a far more practical three-month period.
This adjustment unlocked lending across the board and allowed buyers to proceed without unnecessary delays. Just as importantly, it restored confidence for both the developer and future purchasers.
This case highlights the value of involving the right specialists from day one. By partnering with Custom Build Homes as your dedicated marketing agent and BuildStore as your finance expert, developers can avoid avoidable roadblocks and ensure that buyers have clear, accessible funding routes. Together, we help projects move smoothly through legal processes, align expectations early, and ultimately deliver more custom and self-build homes to the market.
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If you’re a developer looking to streamline your custom build journey, we’d be delighted to help. Get in touch to learn how we can unlock the full potential of your site and support you every step of the way.