Mortgage guide
Can I get a bridging loan for land?
Yes, you can get a bridging loan for land, and it is one of the most popular ways to finance land purchases when traditional mortgages are unsuitable or too slow.
- Published
- 13 Apr 2026
- Last reviewed
- 8 Oct 2026
- Reading time
- 3 min
Can I get a bridging loan for land?
Yes, you can get a bridging loan for land, and it is one of the most popular ways to finance land purchases when traditional mortgages are unsuitable or too slow. Land bridging loans are designed for short-term funding, typically lasting 1-36 months, and can be used for both land with planning permission and land without planning permission. They are particularly useful for auction purchases, where buyers must complete within 28 days, or when acting quickly is critical to secure a development opportunity.
Most land bridging loan lenders will offer up to 65% loan-to-value (LTV) of the land’s current market value. If full planning permission is in place, some lenders may extend this up to 70% LTV. For borrowers who can provide additional property as security, it is possible to access up to 100% of the purchase price, which can also allow funding for initial development costs.
A bridging loan for land is commonly used for several scenarios. These include buying land at auction, securing land while waiting for planning permission, site assembly, or bridging to development finance once the build project is ready to begin. It is also a valuable tool for land banking, enabling investors to hold onto land while its value appreciates.
The main advantage of a land bridging loan is speed. Funding can be released in 2-14 days, compared to the much longer timescales of traditional land mortgages. These loans are also highly flexible and allow borrowers to exit through refinancing onto a development loan, taking out a longer-term mortgage, or selling the land after planning consent or value improvements.
Bridging calculator
Land bridging loan criteria
For context, these are the wider product terms covered by this guide. Availability and eligibility depend on your circumstances and the lender.
| Criteria | Detail |
|---|---|
| Borrowers | Personal, Ltd co, LLP, Trusts, Offshore Trusts |
| Repayment type | Interest only |
| Max Loan to Value (LTV) | 65% max |
| Term | Max 36 months |
| Minimum loan | £40,000 |
| Experience | Not required |
| Max applicants | 6 |
| Uses | Agricultural land, business use, self build, pre-planning |
Published indicative terms for the wider product category are shown for context. They are not a quote for the specific circumstances discussed in this guide.
| Loan to value | Rate |
|---|---|
| 65% LTV | 0.62% per month (2% lender fee) |
| 75% LTV | 0.72% per month (2% lender fee) |
| 85% LTV | 0.9% per month (2% lender fee) |
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Frequently asked questions
Can first-time buyers get a land bridging loan in the UK?
Yes, first-time buyers can obtain a land bridging loan in the UK, but criteria are stricter than for experienced borrowers. Lenders typically require a higher deposit, a clear exit strategy, and may impose lower loan-to-value limits due to the increased risk profile.
What is a land bridging loan?
A land bridging loan is a short-term, secured loan used to purchase land in the UK where a standard mortgage is not available. It is commonly used for land without planning permission or without provable income and is repaid within a defined period, usually 6 to 24 months.
Can I borrow against land with a bridging loan?
You can borrow against land, but lenders offer lower loan-to-values than on buildings, and lower again without planning permission, because land value is less certain and harder to sell. Land with planning is usually bridged as a step towards development finance.
What is the difference between a land mortgage and a bridging loan for land?
Land mortgage is a longer-term loan repaid in instalments and is usually only available where the land already generates income, such as through parking, storage, or lease agreements. A bridging loan for land is short-term finance assessed on the land's value and exit strategy rather than ongoing income, making it more commonly used at the point of acquisition.
What is an exit strategy in land bridging finance?
An exit strategy in land bridging finance is the borrower's plan for repaying the loan at the end of its term, most commonly through selling the land, refinancing onto longer-term finance, or completing a development. Lenders assess the credibility of this exit strategy closely because land bridging loans are not underwritten on personal or business income.
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