There is no typical development management role. The specifics required on a particular project vary depending upon the type of development and the role a client wishes to undertake itself. The two constants are that clear leadership be given to a scheme’s professional team and a close working relationship be maintained with a client.

Development Management can encompass all or any of the following roles.

• Developing a project strategy
• Site identification and appraisal
• Feasibility preparation and financial monitoring throughout a project
• Site acquisition
• Recruitment of a development team
• Planning negotiations
• Obtaining statutory consents
• Instructing lawyers on matters as diverse as restrictive covenant negotiations to lettings
• Supervising a project manager and the design team and contractors
• Marketing
• Sale

Each Development Management project will have a director who reports directly to the client and interfaces with that client. Regular meetings and formal reporting takes place as well as more informal contact depending upon a client’s specific requirements.

Issues that have been tackled include:

• Site assembly including multiple ownerships and a requirement to achieve vacant possession
• Negotiating the release of restrictive covenants
• Acquiring air rights
• Negotiating third party land acquisitions required to open up a site’s access
• Road stopping up
• Taking out insurance to cover a range of risks from contractors default to title issues
• Negotiations with Network Rail to secure access rights to the railways
• Interfacing road construction with Highways England Trunk Road Works