Business Lending Group, which trades as BLG Development Finance, is a principal lender specialising in residential development finance across the UK. It lends from £1 million to £15 million on new-build and conversion schemes, with larger loans considered, and offers stretch senior, mezzanine and development-linked bridging alongside its core senior loan. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Business Lending Group, so we can compare its terms with other development lenders. You can read more on BLG Development Finance's own website.
About Business Lending Group
BLG says it was initially established in 2003. Its development lending is carried out by Business Lending Development Funding Limited, trading as BLG Development Finance, with a registered address in west London. It describes itself as a principal lender specialising in residential development finance and says its management team has more than 300 years of combined experience across real estate banking, investment houses and finance companies.
BLG is a non-bank lender. It is also accredited under the Growth Guarantee Scheme, which is supported by the British Business Bank and can give eligible smaller businesses access to government-backed lending. It works with developers and with intermediaries.
Business Lending Group is one of the lenders we compare for development finance and stretch senior development finance.
What Business Lending Group funds
At the time of writing (October 2026), BLG's published criteria are summarised below. The leverage figures include rolled-up interest.
| Product | Loan size | Term | Maximum leverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential development (senior) | £1 million to £15 million, larger considered | Up to 24 months | Up to 70% of GDV and 85% of costs |
| Stretch senior development | £1 million to £15 million | Typically up to 24 months | Up to 75% of GDV and up to 90% of costs |
| Commercial development | £1 million to £15 million | Generally up to 24 months | Case by case; pre-let and speculative schemes considered |
| Development-linked bridging (land, planning, early stage) | £500,000 to £10 million | Up to 12 months | Generally up to 70% LTV |
| Development exit bridge | Case by case | Short term | Case by case |
BLG also offers mezzanine development finance and build-to-let development loans. Residential schemes can include houses, flats, new build, conversions, office-to-residential and mixed use, from a single scheme of a few units up to around 100 units, with larger schemes considered. It lends across the UK in areas with established demand.
Our pages on development exit finance and land finance explain how the short-term products fit around a development loan.
Who Business Lending Group suits (and who it may not)
BLG tends to suit:
- Experienced housebuilders and developers with a track record of similar schemes.
- Residential schemes from around £1 million of borrowing upwards.
- Developers who want more leverage through stretch senior rather than a separate mezzanine lender.
- Developers who need early-stage bridging to buy land or secure planning before the build loan.
- Schemes that need an exit bridge to repay the build loan while units are sold or let.
- Eligible businesses that may benefit from the Growth Guarantee Scheme.
It is usually a poorer fit for first-time developers, self-builders, very small projects below £1 million and anyone needing a bridge for a straightforward residential purchase. Schemes in areas without established demand may also struggle.
What Business Lending Group looks at
BLG's lending criteria centre on the developer and the scheme. Expect it to look at:
- Your demonstrable experience of similar schemes, in size and type.
- The development appraisal: land cost, build costs, contingency, fees and the gross development value.
- Planning permission, or a clear route to planning for early-stage bridging.
- The contractor and professional team, and the build programme.
- Local demand and sales or lettings evidence supporting the exit.
- How much equity you are contributing, and whether the stack includes mezzanine.
A monitoring surveyor will usually review costs and progress before each drawdown, which is standard practice for development finance.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Specialist development lender, established in 2003.
- Stretch senior up to 75% of GDV and 90% of costs reduces the need for separate mezzanine.
- Covers the whole cycle: land and planning bridges, build finance and exit bridges.
- Residential, commercial, mixed-use and build-to-let schemes considered.
- Growth Guarantee Scheme accredited.
Cons
- Minimum loan of £1 million on development.
- Aimed at experienced developers only.
- Higher leverage is typically priced above a conventional senior loan.
- Limited publicly available history and ownership detail.
Going through a broker vs going direct
BLG accepts enquiries from developers and intermediaries. Going direct gives you one lender's view. Development finance terms vary considerably on leverage, arrangement and exit fees, monitoring costs and how interest is treated, so a stretch senior offer from one lender may compare differently with a senior plus mezzanine structure from others.
We search the market, prepare and present your appraisal and approach suitable lenders on your behalf, including BLG where it fits. It is free to enquire, and any broker fee is disclosed before you proceed. See how development finance works.
Alternatives to Business Lending Group
- Fiduciam: development lending for experienced developers from £1 million.
- Paragon Bank: a specialist bank lending on SME residential development.
- Blackfinch Property: senior development finance from around £1 million.
- Pivot: development finance for experienced developers from £1.5 million.
- Secure Trust Bank: real estate development lending on larger schemes.
If you need more leverage than a senior loan allows, read our page on stretch senior development finance.
Common questions
How much does Business Lending Group lend on development?
BLG lends from £1 million to £15 million on residential and commercial development, with larger loans considered case by case.
What leverage does BLG offer?
At the time of writing, BLG says its senior residential loans go up to 70% of GDV and 85% of costs, and its stretch senior loans up to 75% of GDV and 90% of costs, including rolled-up interest.
Does BLG lend to first-time developers?
BLG's criteria ask for experienced housebuilders and developers with a demonstrable track record of similar schemes, so first-time developers are unlikely to fit.
Does BLG offer bridging loans?
Yes, but development-linked only. It offers early-stage bridging for land and planning, from £500,000 to £10 million over up to 12 months, and development exit bridges.
Is BLG part of the Growth Guarantee Scheme?
BLG says it is an accredited lender under the Growth Guarantee Scheme, which is supported by the British Business Bank.
This review is our independent summary of the lender's publicly stated lending, checked in October 2026. Criteria change, so confirm the current position before relying on it. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of any lender reviewed. Finance is subject to status, valuation and lender approval.
