The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word MIDDLE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
M
I
D
D
L
E
More clues leading to the result MIDDLE
- Corporation with origin in the forties?
- Dull place that drivers should steer clear of?
- Intermediate puzzle with intro replaced
- Page studied on historical period showing development of corporation
- Pot from medieval times? BC?
- Core position of hospital in NHS
- Tummy upset? Stupid, led astray!
- Lord’s tenants having relations evicted – that’s mean
- Site of traffic island for pedestrian
- Brave person, a Democrat, following heart — frequently moderate, politically?
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "development of corporation" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case development of corporation = middle.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does MIDDLE mean?
MIDDLE noun- A centre, midpoint.
- The part between the beginning and the end.
- The middle stump.
- The central part of a human body; the waist.
- (grammar) The middle voice.
- To take a middle view of.
- To double (a rope) into two equal portions; to fold in the middle.
- Located in the middle; in between.
- Central.
- (grammar) Pertaining to the middle voice.