Puma Property Finance delivers first UK EDGE-certified care home through impact loan – The Intermediary

Puma Property Finance’s Impact Lending Framework (ILF) has delivered its first impact loan with Cedar Lodge in Whitchurch-on-Thames. 

Cedar Lodge is now the first care home in the UK to secure EDGE certification for green buildings. 

The development achieved EDGE Advanced status, which recognises significant reductions in energy use and carbon, supporting cost resilience and more stable environments for residents.

Cedar Lodge was developed by Zephyr X and is operated by EQ Care Group. 

The project was funded by Puma Property Finance and structured as an impact loan under the framework, with sustainability performance built into the loan terms from the start. 

The 45-bed care home includes smart monitoring systems and app-controlled building management to improve both resident wellbeing and operational efficiency.

Dee Korab, head of impact at Puma Property Finance, said: “We are delighted to see our first Impact Loan completed on such a fantastic development and would like to congratulate Zephyr X. 

“Through our ILF, we agreed clear sustainability goals with Zephyr X meaning stronger environmental performance has been rewarded with a lower cost of capital.”

Eleni Polychroniadou, CEO and co-founder of Sintali, said: “The care sector is under growing pressure to expand capacity while managing long-term costs and environmental impact, all of which ultimately affect the quality and resilience of care provision. 

“Projects like this show that it is possible to address both, by embedding measurable sustainability into the design and delivery of new facilities. 

“EDGE provides a clear, measurable framework for doing that, and this development shows how better-performing buildings can be delivered in practice, with real benefits for operators, residents and investors alike.”

Sofi Zickerman White, associate director and EDGE expert at LifeProven, said: “We are proud to have supported Zephyr X and the wider team in achieving the UK’s first EDGE Advanced certified care home development. 

“The collaborative effort between Zephyr X, Puma, LifeProven and the rest of the project team has delivered strong, evidence-based sustainability performance with direct financial benefits. 

“This milestone sets a new benchmark for low-carbon developments in the UK.”