Cambridge & Counties Bank describes itself as the bank that backs smaller builders. Its residential development finance covers schemes from permitted development conversions to full ground-up builds, with a named relationship manager from the first enquiry to final repayment and an option to move onto longer-term finance once the homes are built. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Cambridge & Counties Bank, so we can compare its terms with other banks and specialist development lenders. You can read more on Cambridge & Counties Bank's own website.
About Cambridge & Counties Bank
Cambridge & Counties Bank Ltd is a UK bank authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. It takes savings deposits and lends to businesses, including property investors and developers. The bank notes that its property finance is not regulated, as it is business lending rather than lending to homeowners.
Its development finance is designed for smaller residential developers. The bank says it wants to give locally focused builders the support they need to build quality homes, and that its loans are overseen by a property development specialist who understands the SME building sector. Each case is assessed individually by its Senior Relationship Manager and credit underwriting team, who set both the leverage and the pricing.
Cambridge & Counties Bank is one of the banks we compare for development finance on smaller and mid-sized residential schemes.
What Cambridge & Counties Bank funds
At the time of writing (October 2026), the bank's residential development finance product guide sets out these criteria:
| Criteria | What the bank says |
|---|---|
| Schemes | Residential development only, from permitted development conversions to full ground-up builds |
| Loan size | £500,000 to £7.5 million |
| Leverage | Up to 65% of gross development value, in three tiers (55%, 60% and 65%), and up to 80% of costs |
| Build costs | Fully funded, within the leverage limits |
| Term | Up to 24 months |
| Build method | Traditional methods, including modular units |
| Borrowers | Experienced property developers; corporate borrowers must be registered in the UK or the Crown dependencies |
| Security | A bespoke security package, structured around the proposal |
Interest can be rolled up to help cash flow during the build, there are no non-utilisation fees on undrawn funds and there are no early repayment charges, although an exit fee applies. Once the scheme is built, the bank offers a development-to-term route: it can provide an indicative facility letter at the outset for a longer-term loan, or a short bridge, to follow the development loan, subject to a fresh credit assessment when the build completes.
Alongside development finance, the bank offers its own residential bridging and buy-to-let mortgages. See our guides to ground-up development finance and development exit finance for how the build and post-completion stages are usually funded.
Who Cambridge & Counties Bank suits (and who it may not)
Cambridge & Counties Bank tends to suit:
- Experienced SME developers building homes, from single plots to small collections.
- Schemes needing £500,000 to £7.5 million of borrowing.
- Developers who want a single named relationship manager throughout the loan.
- Developers who plan to keep some or all of the homes and want a route onto longer-term finance with the same bank.
- Permitted development conversions as well as new build, including modular construction.
It is likely to be a poorer fit for first-time developers, commercial or mixed-use schemes, loans below £500,000 or above £7.5 million, builds needing more than 24 months, and developers looking for more than 65% of GDV in a single loan. Self-builders building their own home will need a different type of lender.
What Cambridge & Counties Bank looks at
Every enquiry is assessed case by case by the Senior Relationship Manager and the credit team. As with most bank development lenders, expect it to look at:
- Your experience and track record on similar residential schemes.
- The site, the planning consent and the build method.
- The cost plan, programme, contractor and professional team.
- The gross development value and local sales or rental evidence.
- Your equity in the scheme and the security offered.
- The exit: unit sales, or a move onto longer-term finance.
Funds are released in stages as the build progresses, once agreed conditions for each drawdown are met.
Pros and cons
Pros
- A dedicated Senior Relationship Manager from enquiry to repayment.
- Build costs fully funded within the 65% of GDV and 80% of cost limits.
- Interest roll-up, no non-utilisation fees and no early repayment charges.
- A planned route onto a term loan or bridge once the homes are built.
- Modular construction accepted alongside traditional build.
Cons
- Experienced developers only.
- Residential schemes only.
- Maximum term of 24 months.
- An exit fee applies.
- Leverage of up to 65% of GDV is lower than some specialist and stretch senior lenders.
Going through a broker vs going direct
Cambridge & Counties Bank works with brokers as well as directly with developers. Bank pricing can be attractive for a strong scheme, but leverage, fees and the term vary between banks and specialist lenders, and a scheme that needs more of its costs funded may be better placed elsewhere. We search the market, set the bank's terms alongside other development lenders, present your scheme and manage the application through to completion.
It is free to enquire, and any broker fee is disclosed before you proceed. Our development finance page explains what lenders will ask to see.
Alternatives to Cambridge & Counties Bank
- Close Brothers: a long-established bank lender to SME housebuilders.
- Hampshire Trust Bank: a specialist bank with development and bridging lending.
- United Trust Bank: development finance from a specialist bank, including for smaller schemes.
- Paragon Bank: residential development finance from £1 million.
- Shawbrook Bank: development and bridging finance from a specialist bank.
Common questions
How much does Cambridge & Counties Bank lend for development?
At the time of writing, its residential development finance runs from £500,000 to £7.5 million, up to 65% of gross development value and 80% of costs.
Does Cambridge & Counties Bank lend to first-time developers?
No. Its product guide says development finance is only available to experienced property developers.
Can Cambridge & Counties Bank fund all of the build costs?
The bank says build costs can be fully funded, as long as the total loan stays within its limits of 65% of gross development value and 80% of costs.
Does Cambridge & Counties Bank fund commercial development?
No. Its development finance is for residential schemes only, from permitted development conversions to ground-up builds.
What happens when the build is finished?
The bank offers a route onto a longer-term loan or a short bridge once the homes are built. It can give an indicative facility letter at the start, subject to a fresh credit assessment at completion.
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.
