Sian Griffiths
Director
BSc (Hons), DipTP, MScRealEst, MRTPI, MRICS
With over 27 years experience in planning and development, Sian regularly appears as expert witness at complex planning appeals and instructs counsel. As a dual qualified chartered town planner and chartered surveyor, Sian is considered by many to be a ‘safe pair of hands’.
Sian has a history of working in local government, for developers and in consultancy. She has a well-rounded skills set with areas of expertise in areas including residential, commercial, institutional and leisure. Sian works throughout the UK, but is most regularly engaged in projects within the midlands, south wales and south-west. Sian particularly enjoys advising on applications and planning appeals as well as offering support on land promotion matters. She has extensive experience of community/stakeholder consultation and regularly runs events for a variety of clients. Sian works regularly with her Co-Director, Rob on development appraisals and has a robust understanding of what makes a scheme ‘work’.
I am a Chartered Town Planner and Chartered Surveyor with a Bachelor of Science (with honours) in City and Regional Planning, a Postgraduate Diploma in Town Planning and a Master of Science in Real Estate, from Cardiff University, Oxford Brookes University and the College of Estate Management (Reading), respectively. I have also completed the RICS Residential Building Surveys practical workshop course and have been trained to deliver Health Impact Assessments
I am a Director of RCA Regeneration Ltd and take a lead on all planning and public consultation matters as well as Health Impact Assessment. I head up our consultation part of the business, Neighbourhood Blueprint.
I have worked extensively within the public and private sectors over the course of a career spanning over 20 years.
My main areas of experience include planning applications and appeals work; acting as expert witness; employment and housing land studies; planning appraisals; land acquisition; Neighbourhood Planning; EIA and HIA; minor heritage matters; community development and community consultation; phasing and implementation plans and negotiation of Section 106 contributions/development viability. I regularly assemble and project manage multi-disciplinary teams to prepare and submit applications and appeals on behalf of our varied client base.
My major clients include E.ON, the Barratt Group, Fortis Living, Richborough, Rooftop, Countryside, Duchy Homes, Peel Holdings, Morris Homes, Redrow Homes, Barberry Developments, St Phillips and Bromford Homes.
I also sit on the Black Country Design Panel.
c.350 new dwellings on urban extension to Kidderminster (Client: Barberry Developments Ltd) I am appointed to lead a multi-disciplinary team on this project, which is currently a preferred option for greenbelt release within the emerging Wyre Forest Local Plan. The project has involved the submission of multiple representations as well as running consultation events over the last 18 months. I also recently have appointed a leading QC to the team. The project continues as further evidence is gathered to inform an eventual planning application which will be supported by major new highways improvements, public footpath links and strong landscape strategy which takes account of the nearby historic settlement of Hurcott village and the SSSI at Hurcott pool.
c.350 new dwellings on urban extension to Wolverhampton (Client: St Phillips) I am appointed to lead a multi-disciplinary team to promote this site for release from Green Belt through the South Staffordshire Local Plan Review. This has included putting a Vision Document together with the masterplanners, summarising the site constraints and making a case for the allocation. This work is ongoing.
2,500 new homes and 20ha employment land at Worcester South (Client: Welbeck Land) My involvement in this large-scale promotion and planning application project included setting up and running the gypsy and traveller consultation programme, as the scheme included provision for new pitches. I also advised on political engagement matters, including profiling local politicians and assisting with the programme of ongoing engagement with this important stakeholder group.
92 dwelling regeneration scheme, Pickersleigh Grove, Malvern (Client: Fortis Living) This scheme includes the demolition of an existing social housing scheme which was no longer fit for purpose, and redevelopment of a new mixed tenure scheme where the market housing cross-subsidised the re-provision of new affordable homes. The project involved multiple engagement with tenants of Fortis Living (a large local Registered Provider). I managed the public consultation and outline application, which involved a design panel review as well as the production of a development appraisal to demonstrate viability. The application was supported by officers and members of the council, and the development is now underway.
100 dwellings and GP Surgery at Shoulderway Lane, Shipston-on-Stour (Client: David Wilson Homes) Having assembled the project team, I have project managed the public consultation as well as the preparation and submission of two (twin tracked) planning applications on behalf of this major volume housebuilder. I have also made representations to both the Core Strategy and emerging Neighbourhood Plan. The latest iteration has now been taken to MADE panel and the new landscape-led proposal is currently evolving.
148 dwellings on land at Coventry Road, Cawston, Rugby (Client: Redrow Homes) I project managed the public consultation; prepared, managed and submitted an application on behalf of this major housebuilder. Consent was granted in 2016 and the development is currently underway. I have also been involved in a number of trade counter, retail, institutional, care home, leisure, B1, B2 and B8 proposals throughout the West Midlands and beyond. Clients include County Building Supplies, Maximus, Warwickshire College Group, Pall Mall, Budgens, Sterling Power and Pegasus Recycling.