A survey from Shawbrook, which collated views from 567 property developers, found that three-quarters said that there were limited funding options for developers.

More than a quarter said they had been rejected by a mainstream lender multiple times for funding.

Approximately 80% said that developers said it was hard to fund funding when they were starting their business and 74% said that it was more challenging to secure funding for a smaller business.

Most developers, however, said that funding was the hardest part of running a business at 78% regardless of size with the same number saying that funding expertise was difficult to find.

Around 77% said that specialist lenders offered better support to developers, showing that specialist funding is available.

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Terry Woodley, head of development finance at Shawbrook, said: “Without significant housebuilding activity, the manifesto targets of the main parties have no chance of success.

“Housebuilding is a key issue on the political agenda, but developers need support to understand the funding landscape and access the funding levels they need so that these much-needed projects can get off the ground.”

He added: “These developers that have struggled in the early stages of their business have gone on to build significant businesses, yet it’s clear funding is still a real barrier for entry, and early-stage growth.

“There is funding available, and working with a specialist lender can help with structuring developers’ funding needs to surface that liquidity. If the gap is not addressed, promises to boost housing numbers will be very difficult to achieve.”