Our picks for the best UK development finance lenders in 2026, covering ground-up residential development, conversion projects, and heavy refurbishment loans.
Last updated: April 2026. Written by the Lendus editorial team.
Development finance is specialist short-term lending that funds the construction or major conversion of residential and commercial property in the UK. With housebuilding a national priority and planning reform creating new opportunities, the development finance market is active in 2026 with both institutional lenders and specialist challengers competing for quality projects.
Together Money is one of the most active development finance lenders in the UK, with a strong track record across residential new-build, commercial conversion, and mixed-use schemes. It will consider unusual sites, non-standard construction methods, and projects in secondary locations that institutional lenders pass on. Its in-house monitoring team is known for pragmatic, developer-friendly drawdown management.
Atelier has made a strong impression since launch with a technology-driven development lending platform that genuinely accelerates the process from credit terms to first drawdown. It specialises in residential development and focuses on experienced developers who can demonstrate a track record of successful completions. Its transparent fee structure and frequent communication with borrowers are consistently praised.
Magnet Capital is specifically positioned for smaller residential development schemes and is one of the few lenders willing to back first-time developers with strong plans but limited track records. It works closely with borrowers through the construction process rather than simply monitoring from a distance, which makes it particularly supportive for developers building their first project. Maximum LTGDV of 70% keeps loan sizes proportionate.
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Check Eligibility| Lender | Best For | Rates | Amount | Speed | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Together Money | Best for experienced developers with complex projects | From 0.75% per month | £75,000 – £15,000,000 | 7–21 business days to first drawdown | 4.1/5 |
| Atelier | Best for speed and developer experience | From 0.79% per month | £500,000 – £10,000,000 | 10–14 business days to first drawdown | 4.6/5 |
| Magnet Capital | Best for first-time developers and smaller schemes | From 0.89% per month | £150,000 – £3,000,000 | 7–14 business days to first drawdown | 4.4/5 |
| CrowdProperty | Best P2P development finance | From 0.85% per month | £100,000 – £5,000,000 | 10–21 business days to first drawdown | 4.5/5 |
| Masthaven Bank | Best bank-backed development funder | From 0.69% per month | £500,000 – £10,000,000 | 14–21 business days to first drawdown | 4/5 |
| Octopus Real Estate | Best for large residential schemes | From 0.65% per month | £1,000,000 – £50,000,000+ | 7–14 business days to first drawdown | 4.3/5 |
We evaluated development finance lenders on loan-to-GDV and loan-to-cost ratios, day-one land advance availability, interest rates, monitoring surveyor processes, speed from credit approval to first drawdown, minimum development experience requirements, and the range of project types funded. We also considered how lenders structure their monitoring and drawdown process, which significantly affects a developer's cashflow.
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