The Engine Shed complex is due to be completed in spring and will offer nine glamping units housed in converted railway freight wagons and guards’ vans.

There will also be a central reception building containing a restaurant, café, shop, exhibition and meeting space, toilets and showers and a three-bedroom manager’s apartment.

The deal was introduced to Reward Finance Group by Tudor Financial.

•   DFT roundtable: What areas of property development finance finance are most underserved?
•   Developer to complete Hampshire scheme following Reward Finance Group funding
•   Housing developments: managing risk can bring reward

Paula O’Donnell, who is developing the Engine Shed with her husband Alex (both pictured above), said: “We identified an excellent opportunity to make the most of such a strategic location by creating a unique and exciting leisure destination which would appeal not only to rail enthusiasts, but families, too.

“We were impressed that the £800,000 funding facility was set up quickly, without having to jump through hoops, so we could progress the project to ensure we were open for the forthcoming season.”

Dave Jones, joint managing director at Reward Finance Group, commented: “Paula and Alex are 100% committed to making a success of the Engine Shed and it was an easy decision for Reward to buy into their vision and to provide financial support to make the project happen.”

Dave added that he believed the complex would be a “top-quality scheme in a superb location which already attracts an enormous amount of people throughout the year”.