Clearwell Capital is a specialist development lender focused on stretch senior finance for small and medium-sized residential developers. A stretch senior loan combines the leverage a developer might otherwise get from senior debt plus mezzanine into one first charge facility from one lender. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Clearwell Capital, so we can compare its terms with other stretch senior, senior and mezzanine options. You can read more on Clearwell Capital's own website.
About Clearwell Capital
Clearwell Capital Group Ltd is a London-based company that describes itself as a principal lender backed by institutional capital. It says its capital partners give it autonomy over its lending decisions, which means credit decisions are made in-house rather than by a funding line further up the chain. It is not a bank and does not take deposits.
Clearwell says it has supported residential development across the UK since 2013, with case studies including schemes in the Midlands, the South West and the South East. Its website is aimed at property professionals and introducers, and it states that it is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, which is usual for business lending to developers.
Clearwell Capital is one of the lenders we compare for stretch senior development finance.
What Clearwell Capital funds
At the time of writing (October 2026), Clearwell's main product is stretch senior development finance:
| Feature | Clearwell stretch senior |
|---|---|
| Loan size | £750,000 to £5m |
| Loan to gross development value | Up to 75% |
| Loan to cost | Up to 90% |
| Term | 6 to 24 months |
| Security | First charge development loan, with a personal guarantee |
| Schemes | Residential-led; commercial space considered where it is under 20% of gross development value |
Clearwell points out that banks typically lend around 70% to 80% of costs, so a stretch senior loan at up to 90% of cost can reduce the cash a developer needs to put in, or remove the need for a separate mezzanine lender. The trade-off is usually a higher interest cost than mainstream senior debt. Clearwell says planning gain or additional security can count towards the developer's contribution, and its September 2026 guide lists new build houses and flats, conversions to residential, refurbishment, build-to-rent and student accommodation.
Its website also refers to bridging loans of up to £5m and explains how development exit finance can give extra time to sell completed units, though it publishes fewer details on these.
Our guide to ground-up development finance explains how staged drawdowns and monitoring work on loans like these.
Who Clearwell Capital suits (and who it may not)
Clearwell Capital tends to suit:
- SME housebuilders and residential developers with a proven track record.
- Schemes needing £750,000 to £5m of debt.
- Developers who want higher leverage from one lender rather than splitting senior and mezzanine debt.
- Residential-led projects with a small commercial element.
It is unlikely to suit first-time developers, commercial-led schemes, projects needing more than £5m, or borrowers unwilling to give a personal guarantee. Developers who can put in more equity may find cheaper senior debt elsewhere, so comparing both routes is sensible.
What Clearwell Capital looks at
Clearwell publishes clear headline criteria for its stretch senior product. It says it looks for:
- A proven track record of developments.
- UK-resident borrowers, or a UK company or LLP.
- A satisfactory asset and liability position.
- Willingness to provide a personal guarantee.
- A scheme that is viable under its current planning permission.
- A minimum profit on cost of 20% after finance costs.
As with any development loan, it will also assess the build cost plan and contingency, the contractor, local sales evidence and the exit. Funds are released in stages as the build progresses and is checked by a monitoring surveyor.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Up to 90% of cost from a single first charge lender.
- Avoids the extra legal work of a separate mezzanine loan.
- Clear published criteria for profit, planning and experience.
- Credit decisions made in-house.
- Lends in England, Scotland and Wales.
Cons
- Experienced developers only.
- Maximum loan of £5m.
- Higher leverage usually means a higher cost than standard senior debt.
- Personal guarantee required.
- Commercial space limited to under 20% of gross development value.
Going through a broker vs going direct
Clearwell says it works with introducers as well as developers. Stretch senior finance is one of several ways to fund a scheme: a cheaper senior loan with more equity, or senior plus mezzanine, can work out better depending on your cash position and profit margin. We search the market, approach suitable lenders and lay out the options side by side so you can compare total cost and cash required.
It is free to enquire, and any broker fee is agreed with you before you proceed. See our stretch senior development finance page for more on how these loans compare.
Alternatives to Clearwell Capital
- Magnet Capital: development lending for SME developers on schemes of a similar size.
- Sancus: development finance with flexible structures, worth comparing on leverage.
- MSP Capital: development lender for smaller and mid-sized residential schemes.
- Blackfinch Property: development finance for SME housebuilders.
Common questions
What is a stretch senior development loan?
It is a single first charge development loan that lends more of the costs than a standard senior loan, often up to 90% of cost, so a developer may not need separate mezzanine finance.
How much does Clearwell Capital lend?
At the time of writing, Clearwell's stretch senior loans range from £750,000 to £5m, with terms of 6 to 24 months.
What LTGDV and LTC does Clearwell Capital offer?
Clearwell's September 2026 product guide gives up to 75% of gross development value and up to 90% of cost.
Does Clearwell Capital lend to first-time developers?
Clearwell asks for a proven track record of developments, so first-time developers are unlikely to fit its stretch senior product.
Does Clearwell Capital need a personal guarantee?
Yes. Clearwell lists willingness to provide a personal guarantee as one of its borrower criteria.
Where does Clearwell Capital lend?
England, Scotland and Wales, to UK-resident borrowers or UK companies and LLPs.
Can planning gain count as my contribution with Clearwell?
Clearwell says planning gain or additional security can count towards the developer's contribution.
This review is our independent summary of the lender's publicly stated lending, checked in October 2026. Criteria change, so confirm the current position before relying on it. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of any lender reviewed. Finance is subject to status, valuation and lender approval.
