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Build With Confidence

Development Finance — build from the ground up

Site acquisition to final unit sales — built for serious developers. Glender's smart matching can introduce you to specialist development providers who understand construction timelines, staged drawdowns, and the realities of building projects.

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Indicative

LTGDV varies by provider

Staged

Drawdowns

6–36

Term (months)

£50m

Maximum facility

Understanding Development Finance

What is development finance?

Development finance is specialist lending for property construction and conversion projects. Unlike a standard mortgage, funds are released in stages (drawdowns) as the build progresses, with a monitoring surveyor verifying each phase before the next tranche is released.

This structure can keep costs efficient — you only pay interest on funds drawn — and gives lenders confidence that the project is progressing as planned. From a single enquiry, Glender can introduce you to development providers who specialise in your project type. Higher leverage increases borrowing costs and financial risk. A fall in sales values, delay, cost overrun or refinancing failure could reduce or eliminate project returns and place secured assets at risk.

✓ Ground-up new builds (residential and commercial)
✓ Conversions (office-to-resi, barn conversions, PD schemes)
✓ Staged drawdowns against build progress
✓ Facilities from £500,000 to £50,000,000
✓ First-time and experienced developers welcome

Project Types We Fund

Ground-Up Residential

Single units to 200+ home developments with full infrastructure

Commercial Developments

Office blocks, retail parks, industrial units, and mixed-use schemes

Permitted Development

Office-to-residential and commercial-to-residential conversions under PD rights

Land With Planning

Site acquisition finance for land with planning permission or outline consent

Why Glender

Key features

Development finance structured around your build programme. One enquiry, intelligently matched to potential providers.

🏗

Staged Drawdowns

Funds released in tranches as your build progresses. You only pay interest on capital drawn — keeping project costs lean and your build moving.

📊

Geared Facilities

Combined senior and mezzanine facilities can reduce your equity requirement. Higher leverage increases borrowing costs and financial risk. Loan-to-gross-development-value limits vary between providers.

🔍

Monitoring Surveyor

Independent QS sign-off at each stage gives you and the lender confidence that the project is on track and on budget.

💰

Build Cost Funding

Some providers may fund a large proportion of build costs, which can reduce the equity needed for the works. The amount funded varies by provider and depends on the full circumstances of each case.

🚀

First-Time Developers

Providers may consider a range of property types and borrower profiles, including first-time developers with strong projects. A track record may affect availability and terms.

🌐

National Coverage

Glender can introduce you to providers funding developments across England, Wales, and Scotland. Urban regeneration to rural barn conversions.

How It Works

From appraisal to completion

From first appraisal to final drawdown — one place, no chasing, you in control.

Submit Your Appraisal

Share your development appraisal, planning status, build costs, and projected GDV.

Lender Matching

Our smart matching engine surfaces potential providers who specialise in development finance and have appetite for your scheme type.

Terms & Due Diligence

Compare facility terms, agree heads, and proceed through valuation, QS review, and legals.

Drawdown & Build

Initial drawdown for site acquisition, then staged releases as your build progresses through each phase.

Eligibility

Who can apply?

Development finance is available to developers at a range of experience levels. Whether this is your first conversion project or your fiftieth multi-unit scheme, Glender can introduce you to potential providers.

✓ Experienced developers with a proven track record
✓ First-time developers with a strong project and team
✓ SPVs and limited companies (required by most lenders)
✓ Joint ventures and partnerships
✓ Housing associations and registered providers

What you'll need

● Development appraisal with full cost breakdown
● Planning permission (full or outline)
● Architect's drawings and build schedule
● Contractor details and build contract
● Evidence of equity contribution (typically 10-25%)
● Developer CV / track record (if available)

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

LTGDV stands for Loan-to-Gross-Development-Value. It measures the total facility (land plus build costs) as a percentage of the finished project value. A lender offering 70% LTGDV on a scheme worth £2,000,000 would provide a total facility of £1,400,000. Higher LTGDV means less equity you need to contribute.

The facility is divided into tranches aligned with your build programme. Typically, the first drawdown covers site acquisition. Subsequent drawdowns are released as the monitoring surveyor certifies that each build phase is complete — for example, foundations, superstructure, first fix, second fix, and practical completion. You only pay interest on the drawn amount.

Absolutely. Glender can introduce you to providers who specialise in backing first-time developers. They will want to see a strong project appraisal, a competent build team (experienced contractor), and a realistic schedule. You may need a higher equity contribution, and Glender can introduce you to providers who consider first-time developers.

A monitoring surveyor (also called a quantity surveyor or QS) is appointed by the lender to independently verify build progress, quality, and cost management. They visit the site before each drawdown to confirm works are completed to the expected standard. This protects both you and the lender.

Most development lenders require full planning permission or at least outline consent before they will issue a formal facility. However, some providers offer pre-planning finance — short-term bridging to acquire a site while planning is being obtained. Glender can introduce you to providers who may consider your timeline.

Rates, fees and loan-to-value limits vary between providers and depend on the full circumstances of each case. The relevant provider confirms all costs after its assessment. Pricing is affected by project size, developer experience, location, and LTGDV.