CapitalRise completes £5.55 million development facility for luxury homes at Hensol Castle Estate, Wales
CapitalRise has completed a £5.55 million senior development facility to support the delivery of six luxury detached family homes within the grounds of the prestigious Hensol Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan, marking the prime property finance provider’s first lending transaction in Wales. This reflects CapitalRise’s expanding geographical reach, with the firm supporting experienced borrowers in a range of sought-after locations.
The loan has been provided to Acorn Property Group, an experienced housebuilder with a strong track record of delivering high-quality residential developments across the South West and Wales.
Imagery of the planned Villas (© 2026, Acorn Property Group)
Located within the historic Hensol Castle Estate, The Villas at Hensol Grove has full planning consent for six substantial, five-bedroom detached homes arranged around a private cul-de-sac. Once complete, the homes will each offer around 2,500 sq. ft. of accommodation, featuring extensive open-plan living spaces, home offices, double garages, and generous private gardens.
The development forms part of Acorn Property Group’s wider vision for the estate, building on its current delivery of ten homes, The Mews at Hensol Grove. The scheme has been carefully designed to complement the character of the surrounding estate, while providing highly sustainable, contemporary family homes in one of South Wales’ most sought-after residential locations.
Preliminary imagery of The Villas (© 2026, Acorn Property Group)
Set within the grounds of the Grade II-listed castle, Hensol Grove benefits from a unique setting that combines heritage, countryside living and excellent connectivity. Residents will enjoy access to the wider estate’s amenities, including the Vale Resort with its championship golf courses, luxury spa and leisure facilities, while Cardiff city centre is just 11 miles away.
This current phase of funding refinances existing debt secured against the site, with further development expected over the coming months as construction progresses.
Lee Francis, Head of Origination at CapitalRise, said:
“We are very pleased to complete this £5.55 million development facility and to support Acorn Property Group on the delivery of these exceptional new homes on the Hensol Castle Estate.”
“This transaction is particularly significant as it represents CapitalRise’s first loan in Wales, further demonstrating our commitment to supporting experienced developers delivering high-quality schemes in sought-after locations across the UK.”
“The site itself sits within the beautiful 17th century Hensol Castle estate and benefits from a truly unique lifestyle offering. We are delighted to welcome this project into the CapitalRise portfolio and look forward to supporting the borrower through the next phases of development.”
Daniel O’Neil, Executive Director at SPF Private Clients, who introduced and brokered the transaction, said:
“We are delighted to see the successful completion of senior development finance for Acorn Property Group at The Villas at Hensol Grove. Designed to reflect the prestige and character of the wider estate, this development promises to be a standout addition to the area.”
“This deal was a real testament to the strength of the team involved, requiring patience, collaboration and close communication throughout. It was a pleasure to work alongside CapitalRise to bring the transaction to a successful completion.”
Melanie Omirou, Finance Director at Acorn Property Group, said:
“Congratulations to everyone involved. We are excited to see these homes take shape and bring a high-quality new residential offering to this exceptional location.”
Eilidh Brown, Funding Manager at Acorn Property Group, added:
“We are delighted to be working with Lee Francis and CapitalRise on the funding of The Villas at Hensol Grove development. This marks our first transaction with CapitalRise and we look forward to building a strong relationship as we deliver this scheme together, with many more opportunities to come.”
“As always, it was a pleasure working with Daniel O’Neil at SPF, whose introduction and support were instrumental in bringing this transaction to a successful completion.”
The transaction further strengthens CapitalRise’s growing development finance portfolio – having now closed £650m of loans since its founding – and highlights the firm’s continued focus on backing experienced borrowers delivering premium residential schemes in highly desirable locations across the UK. With Hensol Grove representing the lender’s first completed transaction in Wales, the deal marks another milestone for CapitalRise.
