Development Management
Sanford provides development management services for commercial property projects where early decisions have a material impact on feasibility, risk and long-term value.
Acting in the client’s interests, Sanford supports property owners, developers and institutions through the early stages of a project, from feasibility and planning strategy through to approvals and delivery readiness. Our role is to provide clear, commercially grounded advice so development decisions are informed, realistic and aligned with project objectives.
When development management is typically engaged
Development management is most commonly engaged:
during site acquisition or pre-acquisition due diligence
at feasibility stage for new developments or major redevelopments
where planning, approval or commercial risk is high
when multiple delivery options or staging strategies are being assessed
where clients require independent advice before committing capital
Early involvement allows risks to be identified and managed before they become embedded in the project.
What Sanford provides
Sanford’s development management services are tailored to the needs and complexity of each project and may include:
Development feasibility reviews and option analysis
Planning and approvals strategy coordination
Consultant team procurement and management
Programme and delivery strategy development
Risk identification and mitigation planning
Cost and commercial oversight in collaboration with cost consultants
Stakeholder and authority coordination
Transition from development phase into delivery and construction
Sanford works closely with clients to ensure development decisions are commercially sound and practically deliverable.
How development management differs from project management
Development management focuses on what should be built and whether a project is viable.
Project management focuses on how an approved project is delivered.
Sanford provides both services, allowing continuity from early development decisions through to delivery, or independent engagement at a specific stage depending on client requirements.
Why engage Sanford for development management
Clients engage Sanford for development management because:
advice is independent and client-side
risks are identified early, when they can still be managed
commercial and planning considerations are addressed together
recommendations are grounded in delivery experience, not theory
Sanford is typically engaged where the cost of getting early decisions wrong is high.