|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Introduction
According to a 2025 survey of developers by property financing firm Octane Capital, 34% of property developers have been forced to either scale back or postpone a development project over the past 12 months due to financial barriers. There is also a cautious outlook going forward as 51% of developers surveyed have stated they are not confident about launching new property development projects over the next 12 months because of economic uncertainty and financial barriers.
The main obstacles cited by developers in terms of securing finance for projects are interest rates being too high (40%), planning uncertainty and delays (16%) and poor lender appetite (14%), meaning insufficient lenders are willing to take risks on new projects.
Businesses, property developers and landlords looking to carry out new residential or commercial premises building projects or renovate existing properties can seek grants and loans from local authorities. Council funding priorities permit funds being allocated first for development activities if it increases the availability of local housing stock or allows previously empty commercial units to come back into use or encourages building on brownfield development or stalled sites.
What Are Some Of The Latest Property Development Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Transforming Towns Place Making Grant 2022-27
Ceredigion County Council is providing capital funding for local businesses,to support projects that can help to rejuvenate town centres across Mid-Wales. Eligible projects can include green infrastructure developments, installing digital infrastructure in town centres and internal and external commercial and residential property improvements. Funding up to £300,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are available on an ongoing basis
ii) Hotel Development Grant Scheme
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has a scheme that aims to support the development of new hotel accommodation across Newry, Mourne and Down Districts. Bids must be for at least 15 new en-suite bedrooms and can be for new or for the expansion of an existing hotel. Funding up to £300,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 28th November 2025
iii) Empty Property Grant
The London Borough of Camden Council is running a scheme that provides grants for landlords to help them repair and renovate their empty homes and bring them back into use in the local area. Funding up to £80,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are available on an ongoing basis
iv) Town Centre Vibrancy Fund
Carmarthenshire County Council is providing grants to fund works to bring ground floor vacant properties back into commercial use. This can include works to the interior, exterior and curtilage of commercial buildings. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are available on an ongoing basis
v) Newhaven Sites and Empty Property Fund
Newhaven Enterprise Zone and Lewes District Council have grants to provide local businesses and landowners with funding to support feasibility studies, masterplans, site investigations, pre-planning and business case development to support the case for commercial sites that have remained undeveloped for over twelve months to help raise further finance for full scale development activity. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are available on an ongoing basis
vi) Improvement and Repair of Private Sector Properties Discretionary Grants
Dundee City Council is running a scheme providing grants for landlords to improve and repair their properties for residential use. Eligible work categories include Below Tolerable Standard housing, lead water supply pipes, serious disrepair, common Repairs, common door entry systems and common stair lighting. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are available on an ongoing basis
vii) Town Centre Retail Business Fund
North Lanarkshire Council is providing grant funding towards the costs of eligible internal and external works and reconfiguration of ground floor vacant units to enable reoccupation, new commercial activity and support new employment opportunities. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 20th February 2026
viii) Fire Safety Grants
Harborough District Council has grants available for landlords to carry out essential fire safety improvements for their properties to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and guidance. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are available on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Property Development Funding Schemes
Full details about how to apply for schemes and the eligibility criteria is available on each individual scheme page on the relevant website. Any deadlines, who can apply and what eligible costs the grants will cover will also be outlined on these pages. Interested individuals and businesses can speak to funding advisors based at each provider who can guide them through requirements and eligibility criteria to see if the relevant funding is a match with their needs and help them to apply. There are also application forms and other supporting guidance available on scheme pages as well.
Want To Find The Latest UK Property Development Funding Opportunities?
If you want to see the full set of UK property development funding currently available, please visit https://getbusinessgrants.com/