Pre-Planning Bridging Finance

Funding to Secure Land or Property Before Planning is Approved

Secure Land or Property Before Planning Is Approved

Looking to purchase a site before planning permission is granted? Pre planning bridging finance gives you the speed to secure development land or buildings with potential before full approval is in place. This type of funding helps you stay ahead of the competition in a fast moving market.

At Bridging Finance Broker, we arrange pre planning finance based on land value, uplift potential, and your exit plan rather than rigid mortgage criteria. This means you can move quickly when the right opportunity comes along.

What Is Pre-Planning Bridging Finance?

Pre planning bridging finance is a short term loan secured against land or property that does not yet have full planning consent. It can be used to:

  • Purchase land or sites before planning approval is granted

  • Raise capital to cover planning applications, surveys, or legal work

  • Bridge the gap until development finance is in place once planning is approved

In most cases, the loan is repaid by refinancing onto a development facility or by selling the asset after planning consent has been obtained.

Why Use Pre-Planning Finance?

Move fast on sites with potential

Beat competitors to acquisition


Fund planning and design costs

Raise capital pre-approval

Bridge to a development loan

Switch once planning is approved

Works for land, brownfield, or underutilised property

Who Is It For?

 

  • Developers buying land with strong potential for value uplift

  • Investors aiming for profit through planning gain

  • Landowners looking to increase site value before full consent

  • Property professionals seeking strategic and time sensitive acquisitions

Common Use Cases

 

  • Buying land where you expect planning permission to increase value

  • Refinancing land to fund planning applications, surveys, and legal costs

  • Acquiring vacant or rundown sites to hold until permission is granted

  • Purchasing brownfield plots or airspace with potential for development

Loan Features and Lender Criteria

 

  • Loan amounts from £100,000 to over £10 million

  • Loan to Value typically between 50% and 65% (based on current value, not GDV)

  • Terms from 6 to 18 months

  • Rates starting at 0.85% per month

  • Security can include land, buildings, airspace, or underused assets

  • Exit via sale after planning approval or refinancing to development funding

Some lenders will consider planning risk if the uplift potential is strong and the project team is experienced.

Pre-Planning Finance Process

Initial discussion

We assess site, use, and planning potential

Indicative terms

Fast quote based on current site value

Legal & valuation

Legal review + Red Book valuation

Loan issued

Funds released to acquire or refinance site

Exit arranged

Via refinance or disposal on approval

Clear Communication

No jargon, no confusion, no chasing we keep you updated every step

Estimate Your Pre-Planning Costs

Use our calculator to estimate interest and repayment options based on your land value and planned timeline.

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about the bridging finance broker

Can I get finance before planning permission is granted?


Yes. Pre-planning bridging loans are designed for that exact purpose—backed by property or land value.

Your exit strategy matters. You may need to repay via resale or alternative use. We’ll help assess risk with experienced lenders.

Terms range from 6 to 18 months—enough to obtain consent and exit into a longer-term loan.

Yes—subject to planning potential and lender appetite. We’ll help you position the application.

Secure the Site Before the Competition

Whether you’re applying for permission or buying with potential in mind, we’ll help you move fast with flexible pre-planning finance.