by Samuel Stafford
<p>50 Shades of Planning is Sam Stafford’s attempt to explore the foibles of the English planning system and it's aim is to cover the breadth of the sector both in terms of topics of conversation and in terms of guests with different experiences and perspectives.</p> <p>50 Shades episodes include 'Hitting The High Notes', which are a series of conversations with leading planning and property figures. The conversations take in the six milestone planning permissions or projects within a contributor’s career and for every project guests are invited to choose a piece of music that they were listening to at that time. Think Desert Island Discs, but for planners.</p> <p>Sam is on Bluesky (@samuelstafford.bsky.social) and Instagram (@samuel__stafford), and his blogs can be found here: <a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3A%2F%2Fsamuelstafford.blogspot.com%2F&c=E,1,ERKp_KYZip21Zrq2YpkZSkvRm3enjUgzPP_AtXF4yT-1LOvx8C8UNUnKkDBNLdLmNcFqmcPVXCFttuUQN_qfc5LjJTsXvh3Z6QNRntOC-LcL&typo=1" target="_blank">http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com</a> (from where you can also sign up for his newsletter).</p> <p>The 50 Shades platforms are expressions of Sam's personal opinions, which may or may not represent the opinions of his past, present or future employers.</p> <p>50 Shades of Planning is by planners and for planners and so if you would like to use the podcast or the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@FiftyShadesofPlanning" target="_blank">YouTube</a> channel for sharing anything you think that the sector needs to be talking about then do please feel free to get in touch with Sam via [email protected].</p> <p>Why Fifty Shades? Well, planning is not a black and white endeavour. There are at least fifty shades in between....</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
4/15/2019
Email Addresses
1 available
Phone Numbers
0 available
April 12, 2025
Sam Stafford interviews industry experts Matthew Spry, Simon Ricketts, Hana Loftus, Vicky Payne, and Mike Kiely about improving efficiency in development management and planning applications.
March 29, 2025
<p>The fast-paced, ever-changing, rock and roll world of town and country planning has been especially fast-paced, ever-changing and rock and roll of late.</p> <p>How then to try to catch up? Sam Stafford thought that the best way of doing so was to reprise the ‘Labour of Love’ episode that he published back in August of last year. Here then you will hear elements of nine conversations recorded online between friends of the podcast old and new about nine themes of the Government’s crystalising reform agenda.</p> <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/catriona-riddell-b418a322/" target="_blank">Catriona Riddell</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-taylor-frtpi-42555131/" target="_blank">Andrew Taylor</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-meek-31aa23137/" target="_blank">Jane Meek</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexcoley/" target="_blank">Alex Coley</a> talk about strategic planning, devolution and local government reorganisation (06.54);</p> <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-dickson-4762263a/" target="_blank">Greg Dickson</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-sayer-mrics-aciarb-82554513/" target="_blank">John Sayer</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-clutten-1b22a939/" target="_blank">Rebecca Clutton</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-lee-42a3b14/" target="_blank">Anthony Lee</a> talk about CPO, land value capture and benchmark land value (17.42);</p> <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairepetriccariding/" target="_blank">Claire Petricca-Riding</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilian-macinnes-bsc-mba-mrtpi-8b313a28/" target="_blank">Gilian MacInnes</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-mclaughlin-seniorleader/" target="_blank">Sarah McLaughlin</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbie-owen-9b954aa/" target="_blank">Robbie Owen</a> talk about infrastructure planning (28.12);</p> <p>Andrew, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-rouse-017086177/" target="_blank">Shelly Rouse</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mskiely/" target="_blank">Mike Kiely</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adele-morris-3b2694270/" target="_blank">Adele Morris</a> talk about planning committees (36.26);</p> <p>Claire, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanaloftus/" target="_blank">Hana Loftus</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-pindham-4a68a82a9/" target="_blank">Nina Pindham</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-beamsley-436b3b96/" target="_blank">Neil Beamsley</a> talk about development and nature recovery (46.11);</p> <p>Andrew, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-gingell-05123286/" target="_blank">Annie Gingell</a>, Hana and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-young-6161b281/" target="_blank">Sarah Young</a> talk about Grey Belt (54.22);</p> <p>Andrew and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-smith-b10aa820/" target="_blank">Paul Smith</a> talk about statutory consultees (01.02.42); </p> <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-castell/" target="_blank">Ben Castell</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-wray-a91a5827/" target="_blank">Katie Wray</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicky-payne-6b05b939/" target="_blank">Vicky Payne</a> and Hana talk about design and placemaking (01.13.21); and</p> <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hashi-mohamed-82b5515b/" target="_blank">Hashi Mohamed</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-ventham-7ba66a76/" target="_blank">Kathryn Ventham</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-mirams-849a2a40/" target="_blank">Simon Mirams</a> talk about the flood risk sequential test (01.24.45).</p> <p>The full conversations will appear on the 50 Shades YouTube channel in due course and Sam will share the respective links on the 50 Shades <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/50shadesofplanning.bsky.social" target="_blank">Bluesky</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fifty-shades-of-planning-650360344/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@50shadesofplanning" target="_blank">TikTok</a> channels when they are published.</p> <p>Some accompanying reading.</p> <p>JEKC</p> <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jonnye47_cancerupdate-heritagedogs-cancer-activity-7302314550916206594-SfWx?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAQM68YBQd5bME4OE5Z3-mAwdOa0gQ4uHYg" target="_blank">David's Tribute</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.sjhospice.org.uk/" target="_blank">St. John's Hospice</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/" target="_blank">Bowel Cancer UK</a></p> <p>Context</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/biggest-building-boom-in-a-generation-through-planning-reforms" target="_blank">'Biggest building boom' in a generation through planning reforms</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-planning-and-infrastructure-bill" target="_blank">The Planning and Infrastructure Bill</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.irwinmitchell.com/news-and-insights/expert-comment/post/102k3cp/the-planning-infrastructure-bill-an-overview" target="_blank">The Planning & Infrastructure Bill: An Overview</a></p> <p>Devolution</p> <p><a href="https://lichfields.uk/blog/2025/march/10/devolving-local-growth-how-do-the-emerging-geographies-shape-up" target="_blank">Devolving local growth: how do the emerging geographies shape up?</a></p> <p>CPO / LVC / BLV</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/compulsory-purchase-process-guidance" target="_blank">Compulsory purchase process: guidance (October 2024 update)</a></p> <p><a href="https://lawcom.gov.uk/news/law-commission-seeks-views-on-compulsory-purchase-laws/" target="_blank">Law Commission seeks views on compulsory purchase laws</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/compulsory-purchase-process-and-compensation-reforms/compulsory-purchase-process-and-compensation-reforms" target="_blank">Compulsory Purchase Process and Compensation Reforms</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.savills.co.uk/research_articles/229130/267514-0" target="_blank">How far can land value capture be pushed?</a></p> <p>Infrastructure</p> <p><a href="https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/news/growth-drives-infrastructure-housing-planning-reform" target="_blank">Growth drives major infrastructure and housing planning reform proposals</a></p> <p>Planning Committees</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-reform-working-paper-planning-committees" target="_blank">Planning Reform Working Paper: Planning Committees</a></p> <p><a href="https://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2024/11/on-modernising-planning-committees.html" target="_blank">On modernising planning committees</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.local.gov.uk/pas/applications/planning-committee/modernising-planning-committees-national-survey-2025" target="_blank">Modernising Planning Committees National Survey 2025</a></p> <p>Nature Restoration</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-reform-working-paper-development-and-nature-recovery" target="_blank">Planning Reform Working Paper: Development and Nature Recovery</a></p> <p><a href="https://consult.defra.gov.uk/land-use-framework/land-use-consultation/" target="_blank">Land Use Consultation</a></p> <p>Grey Belt</p> <p><a href="https://lichfields.uk/blog/2025/march/05/how-grey-is-the-green-belt" target="_blank">How grey is the Green Belt?</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.planoraks.com/posts-1/the-grey-belt-has-arrived" target="_blank">The “Grey Belt” has arrived</a></p> <p><a href="https://simonicity.com/2025/03/02/colouring-in-the-grey-belt-the-ppg/" target="_blank">Colouring In The Grey Belt: The PPG</a></p> <p><a href="https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/518/built-environment-committee/news/205110/grey-belt-policy-having-only-a-marginal-impact-at-best/" target="_blank">Grey belt policy having only a marginal impact at best</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.lpdf.co.uk/latest-lpdf-publications" target="_blank">Grey Belt Impact Assessment</a></p> <p>Stat Cons</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bureaucratic-burden-lifted-to-speed-up-building-in-growth-agenda" target="_blank">Bureaucratic burden lifted to speed up building in growth agenda</a></p> <p><a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-03-10/hcws510" target="_blank">Reform of the Statutory Consultee System</a></p> <p><a href="https://simonicity.com/2025/03/10/cons-pros/" target="_blank">Cons & Pros</a></p> <p><a href="http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2024/11/on-stat-cons.html" target="_blank">On Stat Cons</a></p> <p>Flood Risk Sequential Test</p> <p><a href="https://lichfields.uk/blog/2024/december/20/more-afloat-new-nppf-and-the-sequential-test" target="_blank">More Afloat – New NPPF and the Sequential Test</a></p> <p><a href="https://environmentagency.blog.gov.uk/2025/01/28/enhancing-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-digital-services-with-the-latest-data-and-mapping/" target="_blank">Enhancing flood and coastal erosion risk digital services with the latest data and mapping</a></p> <p>Some accompanying listening.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAgnJDJN4VA" target="_blank">Back in Black - AC/DC</a></p> <p>50 Shades T-Shirts!</p> <p>If you have listened to <a href="https://pod.co/50-shades-of-planning/a-conversation-with-clive-betts" target="_blank">Episode 45</a> of the 50 Shades of Planning you will have heard Clive Betts say that...</p> <p><i>'In the Netherlands planning is seen as part of the solution. In the UK, too often, planning is seen as part of the problem'.</i></p> <p>Sam said in reply that that would look good on a t-shirt and it does. Further details can be found <a href="http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2021/07/50-shades-of-planning-t-shirts.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>Any other business.</p> <p>Sam is on Bluesky (@samuelstafford.bsky.social) and Instagram (@samuel__stafford). His <a href="https://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> contains a link to his newsletter.</p>
October 19, 2024
<p>Back in March 2024 friend of the podcast <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/catriona-riddell-b418a322/" target="_blank">Catriona Riddell</a> gave a lecture at UCL’s Bartlett School of Planning that she called ‘Strategic Planning in England - Where did we go so wrong?’.</p> <p>Sam Stafford couldn’t be there that night, but Catriona shared her slides on LinkedIn and they read to Sam almost like a ‘Brief History of Planning 2010-2024’, which he thought a good subject for an episode. </p> <p>As well as Catriona, who was Director of Planning at the South East England Regional Assembly when the Coalition Government came to power in 2010, Sam approached another friend of podcast, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-quartermain-14b0911a8/" target="_blank">Steve Quartermain</a>, Chief Planner between 2008 and 2020, who was also keen to be involved. Sam felt though that a political perspective on things was also needed so he approached Greg Clark.</p> <p>Greg was appointed Director of Policy for the Conservative Party in 2001 before being elected as MP for Royal Tunbridge Wells in 2005. He has held a number of senior Government roles, including, and of most relevance to planners, Minister for Decentralisation and Cities within the Department for Communities and Local Government between May 2010 and September 2012 and Secretary of State for CLG between May 2015 and July 2016. Greg was also briefly Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities between July 2022 and September 2022.</p> <p>Greg, pleasingly, was also keen to be involved, and the four of them finally got together at Soho Radio Studios in early October 2024.</p> <p>There were many, many topics of possible conversation in Sam's notes for the recording. They did not actually get to the latter part of the 2010-2024 period, so they did not get to, for example, the Standard Method, the 2020 White Paper, and the Theresa Villiers / LURB amendments brouhaha, but that was because they ended up dwelling on arguably the big three topics of that 2010-2024 period, which are the revocation of the Regional Strategies, Localism and the NPPF. They did also touch, right at the end of the conversation, on permitted development rights.</p> <p>Standby for insights into what Eric Pickles had DCLG staff do on his first day at the Department, the amount of thought that was given to what would replace the RSSs (spoiler alert, not much…) and how the NPPF came into being…</p> <p>Some accompanying reading.</p> <p>Has the localism genie been put back in the bottle?</p> <p><a href="https://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2024/09/has-localism-genie-been-put-back-in.html" target="_blank">https://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2024/09/has-localism-genie-been-put-back-in.html</a></p> <p>Some accompanying viewing.</p> <p>Catriona’s Bartlett School of Planning lecture - Strategic planning in England: where did we go so wrong?</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D2xXMwVNrk" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D2xXMwVNrk</a></p> <p>Jerry’s Final Thought</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7h0mIy6Jho" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7h0mIy6Jho</a></p> <p>Some accompanying listening.</p> <p>The Wheel – Bill Callahan </p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPjxq2-j6xY" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPjxq2-j6xY</a></p> <p>50 Shades T-Shirts!</p> <p>If you have listened to <a href="https://pod.co/50-shades-of-planning/a-conversation-with-clive-betts" target="_blank">Episode 45</a> of the 50 Shades of Planning you will have heard Clive Betts say that...</p> <p><i>'In the Netherlands planning is seen as part of the solution. In the UK, too often, planning is seen as part of the problem'.</i></p> <p>Sam said in reply that that would look good on a t-shirt and it does. Further details can be found here: <a href="http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2021/07/50-shades-of-planning-t-shirts.html" target="_blank">http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2021/07/50-shades-of-planning-t-shirts.html</a></p> <p>Any other business.</p> <p>Sam is on Bluesky (@samuelstafford.bsky.social) and Instagram (@samuel__stafford). His <a href="https://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> contains a link to his newsletter.</p>
Planning magazine
HWGPNFY
Goalhanger
Persephonica
Global
Sky News
Global
Institute for Government
BBC News
Financial Times
Goalhanger
IFS/IfG/UKICE
The Guardian
The New Statesman
Steve Richards
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at [email protected] for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.