UK property developers rarely need just one type of finance. A typical project cycle runs from a fast acquisition – often requiring a short-term bridging loan to secure a site before a competing buyer moves – into a longer development finance facility that funds the build itself. Juggling two products, two applications, and sometimes two lenders adds friction, cost, and delay at exactly the points where speed matters most. This ranked comparison of the 7 best bridging loans and property development finance options is built for developers who want to evaluate providers on the criteria that actually govern a project: loan-to-value (LTV) ratios, interest flexibility, speed of execution, and whether a provider genuinely serves the combined need rather than one product in isolation.
Our top pick is Shire Funding for UK property developers who need both bridging loans and development finance from a single provider. It offers development finance capable of covering up to 100% of land and build costs alongside bridging loans up to 75% LTV – with an interest-retained structure that protects cashflow during the build phase. That dual-product capability under one roof removes the lender-juggling problem that slows so many developer timelines. For developers who prefer a whole-of-market broker to compare multiple lenders side by side, Clifton Private Finance is the strongest alternative. And for high-net-worth developers with large-ticket or complex cross-border requirements, Enness Global is the best option, thanks to its access to private-bank and institutional funding.
The seven providers below span direct lenders, specialist intermediaries, and whole-of-market brokers operating across England and Wales. You’ll find a short methodology, an at-a-glance summary, and then the full ranked list – running from the strongest all-in-one option to more specialist or broker-led alternatives.
Our Selection Criteria
We assessed each provider against four criteria that matter most to developers comparing bridging loans and property development finance for the first time. The goal was to separate genuine dual-product capability from single-product specialists that happen to touch the developer market.
Dual-Product Capability
Does the provider offer both bridging loans and development finance – or does it excel in one with credible positioning on the other? Developers frequently move from a bridging facility to buy the site into a development finance facility to fund the build, so a single source that handles both reduces complexity considerably.
LTV Ratios Available
We looked at published or generally understood loan-to-value ranges across product types. Higher LTV on land and build costs reduces the developer’s equity contribution, but every provider prices risk differently.
Interest Flexibility
Whether a provider offers serviced, rolled, or retained interest materially affects cashflow during a build. Retained interest, in particular, means a developer is not making monthly payments while the project generates no income.
Service Quality and Speed
We weighted turnaround speed, pre-approval processes, dedicated account management, and overall accessibility – the practical factors that decide whether a deal completes in time.
At a Glance
- Shire Funding – best for developers needing both bridging and development finance under one roof, with fast turnaround and cashflow-friendly interest structures.
- Alternative Bridging Corporation – best for flexible deal structuring on non-standard security types and complex cases.
- Enness Global – best for high-net-worth developers and large-ticket or cross-border property finance.
- Clifton Private Finance – best for whole-of-market broker comparisons across a wide lender panel.
- Commercial Trust – best for advisory depth spanning commercial mortgages, bridging, and development finance.
- Construction Capital – best for ground-up and conversion projects needing specialist build-stage finance.
- Finanze – best for developers comparing development finance options at the research stage.
The 7 Best Bridging Loans and Property Development Finance Providers for UK Developers
Each provider below was evaluated on the same four criteria: dual-product capability, LTV, interest structure, and service quality. The list runs from the strongest all-in-one option – our top recommendation – down through specialist lenders and broker-led alternatives suited to particular project types. Match your project profile and priorities to the entry that fits, whether that means speed, market-wide comparison, or specialist handling of a complex case.
#1. Shire Funding – Best for Developers Needing Both Bridging and Development Finance Under One Roof
Shire Funding earns the top spot because it addresses the exact problem most developers face: needing short-term bridging capital and longer-term build funding without stitching together two separate lenders. It offers bridging loans up to 75% LTV with terms of up to two years, and development finance capable of covering up to 100% of land and build costs – an unusually broad combination for a single provider.
For developers weighing up their options, Shire Funding property development finance is structured around cashflow realities rather than off-the-shelf lending. The development finance uses an interest-retained model, meaning interest is held until the project completes rather than serviced monthly – a genuine advantage when a site is generating no income during construction. Funds are released in stages tied to completed works, aligning capital drawdown with build progress and the underlying build schedule.
Key specifications:
- Bridging loans up to 75% LTV; terms up to 2 years; completable within 28 days
- Development finance covering up to 100% of land and build costs
- Interest-retained structure on development finance (interest held until completion, not paid monthly)
- Staged fund release tied to completed works
- Pre-approval in minutes; funding potentially available in as little as 4 hours
- Dedicated account manager assigned to each borrower
- 9/5 Trustpilot rating from 169 reviews
Pros:
- Both bridging and development finance available from one provider, cutting lender-juggling complexity
- Interest-retained structure protects cashflow through the build phase
- Staged fund release aligns capital with build progress
- Exceptional speed – pre-approval in minutes, completion potentially within hours
- Strong verified customer satisfaction (4.9/5 Trustpilot from 169 reviews)
Cons:
- No publicly available rate table – pricing requires a direct enquiry
- The 4.9/5 Trustpilot sample of 169 reviews is smaller than some established institutional lenders
- Product scope is focused on developers; less suitable for owner-occupiers or standard buy-to-let investors
- Maximum loan size is not prominently published
Who it’s best for: Property developers undertaking renovations or ground-up developments who want bridging and development finance from a single source, value cashflow-friendly interest structures, and need to move quickly. It is less relevant for owner-occupiers or those seeking standard mortgage products.
#2. Alternative Bridging Corporation – Best for Flexible Deal Structuring on Non-Standard Cases
Alternative Bridging Corporation is a UK specialist in bridging and property finance with a reputation for bespoke deal structuring. Where mainstream lenders decline unusual property types, complex ownership structures, or mixed-use assets, this is the kind of provider developers turn to for a tailored solution rather than an off-the-shelf product.
Pros:
- Strong track record with atypical and complex cases
- Flexibility on terms where standard lenders won’t lend
- Specialist knowledge of bridging and development finance structures
- Can accommodate non-standard security types
Cons:
- Less compelling for straightforward, vanilla development finance
- Pricing and criteria not publicly listed – requires direct engagement
- Smaller public profile than larger broker networks
- May not match the speed benchmarks of the fastest direct lenders
Best for: Borrowers with non-standard security or complex deal structures who need bespoke terms rather than a commodity product.
#3. Enness Global – Best for High-Net-Worth Developers and Large-Ticket Property Finance
Enness Global is a specialist finance broker with access to private-bank and institutional funding channels that most borrowers cannot reach directly. It handles high-value UK and cross-border transactions, and is well suited to complex borrower profiles – non-domiciled individuals, foreign nationals, and high-net-worth developers pursuing large-ticket schemes, including prime London projects.
Pros:
- Access to private banking and institutional lender channels
- Strong track record on large-ticket and complex transactions
- Experienced with cross-border and international developer profiles
- Can structure deals where standard lenders decline
Cons:
- Not suited to smaller or straightforward development projects
- Engagement model geared towards HNW clients
- Pricing and minimum loan thresholds not publicly listed
- Primarily a broker – does not lend directly
Best for: High-net-worth developers and investors with large-ticket, cross-border, or genuinely complex property finance requirements.
#4. Clifton Private Finance – Best for Whole-of-Market Broker Comparisons
Clifton Private Finance is an established whole-of-market broker with a broad lender panel, placing both bridging loans and development finance. Its value lies in independent, side-by-side comparison – developers who want to test the market rather than commit to a single lender relationship will find the whole-of-market model genuinely useful for surfacing competitive terms.
Pros:
- Wide lender panel increases the likelihood of competitive terms
- Independent advice with no single-lender conflict of interest
- Experienced placing both bridging and development finance
- Ideal for developers who want to compare before committing
Cons:
- An extra intermediary layer can lengthen the process versus going direct
- Broker fees add to the overall cost of borrowing
- Outcomes depend on the strength of the lender panel at any given time
- Less useful for developers who already have a preferred lender
Best for: Developers who prefer an independent broker to compare bridging and development finance lenders across the whole market.
#5. Commercial Trust – Best for Tailored Commercial and Property Finance Advisory
Commercial Trust is an established UK finance broker spanning commercial mortgages, bridging, and development finance. Its advisory-led approach suits developers who want to understand their options – and the trade-offs between mortgage products, bridging, and build finance – before proceeding. It is a stronger fit for those who prioritise clarity over the fastest possible completion.
Pros:
- Broad product knowledge across commercial and development finance
- Advisory depth suits complex or multi-faceted financing needs
- Established brand with a track record in UK property finance
- Strong fit for borrowers who prioritise guidance over pure speed
Cons:
- Advisory-led model can be slower than direct lenders for time-sensitive deals
- Not a direct lender – adds an intermediary step
- Less prominent in pure development finance than some specialists
- Broker fees apply
Best for: Borrowers who value advisory depth and want expert guidance spanning commercial mortgages, bridging, and development finance.
#6. Construction Capital – Best for Ground-Up and Conversion Projects Needing Build-Stage Finance
Construction Capital is a niche broker focused specifically on construction-phase and development finance. Its curated lender panel is built around ground-up and conversion projects, and its specialists understand build schedules and staged drawdown structures – the practical detail that decides whether build-stage capital arrives when contractors actually need it.
Pros:
- Deep specialism in construction and build-stage capital
- Lender panel curated for ground-up and conversion projects
- Genuine understanding of build schedules and staged fund release
- Credible where construction-phase funding is the primary need
Cons:
- Less relevant if the main need is a bridging loan rather than build finance
- Smaller public profile than larger broker networks
- Not a direct lender
- Panel may be narrower than a whole-of-market broker’s
Best for: Developers on ground-up or conversion projects – including mixed-use schemes – whose central funding challenge is the construction phase itself, as distinct from the combined bridging-and-development need that Shire Funding addresses.
#7. Finanze – Best for Developers Comparing Development Finance Options at the Research Stage
Finanze is a content-led brokerage that helps borrowers understand development finance structures, lender criteria, and product mechanics before committing. For developers new to the product category – or entering an unfamiliar deal type – its transparent explanations of interest types, LTV, and staged release make it a sensible starting point rather than a fast-execution specialist.
Pros:
- Educational, content-led approach clarifies the options
- Genuinely useful at the early research stage
- Transparent guidance on product structures and criteria
- Broker comparison may surface competitive options
Cons:
- Less suited to developers who need to move quickly
- More of a research and comparison resource than a fast-execution specialist
- Smaller lender panel than whole-of-market brokers
- Not a direct lender
Best for: Developers at the research stage who want transparent rate guidance and a broker-led comparison of development finance options before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between a Bridging Loan and Property Development Finance?
A bridging loan is short-term funding used to secure a property quickly – often up to 75% LTV over terms of up to two years – repaid via refinance or asset sale. Property development finance funds the build itself, releasing capital in stages against completed works and frequently covering land and build costs. Many developers use both across a project’s lifecycle.
Can I Get Both Bridging Finance and Development Finance From the Same Lender?
Yes. Some providers offer both products under one roof, which reduces the complexity of coordinating separate lenders. Shire Funding, for example, provides bridging loans up to 75% LTV alongside development finance capable of covering up to 100% of land and build costs. Sourcing both from a single provider can streamline the transition from acquisition to build.
How Much Can I Borrow for Property Development Finance in the UK?
Borrowing depends on the lender, the project, and your experience, but development finance can extend to a high proportion of land and build costs – in some cases up to 100%. Lenders assess the gross development value, build schedule, and your track record. Because facilities are staged, the amount released grows as verified works complete rather than arriving as a single lump sum.
What LTV Ratios Are Typically Available on UK Bridging Loans?
UK bridging loans are commonly offered up to around 75% LTV, though the exact figure depends on the security, the borrower’s profile, and the exit strategy. Lower LTVs generally attract more favourable terms because they reduce the lender’s risk. Developers with strong exit plans – such as a confirmed refinance or asset sale – tend to access the upper end of the range.
The Bottom Line
For most UK property developers, the deciding factor is whether a single provider can carry them from a fast acquisition through to a fully funded build – and that is precisely why our comparison of the best bridging loans and property development finance options places Shire Funding at the top. Its dual-product capability, interest-retained structure, and staged fund release map cleanly onto how development projects actually run. Developers who prefer market-wide comparison should look to Clifton Private Finance, while high-net-worth and cross-border cases are well served by Enness Global, and construction-led projects by Construction Capital. Match your project type – renovation, conversion, or ground-up – and your priority, whether speed, advisory depth, or breadth of choice, to the entry that fits. If a combined bridging and development finance solution with quick turnaround is what your next scheme needs, Shire Funding is the natural first enquiry.
