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Artwork for 50 Shades of Planning

50 Shades of Planning

Samuel Stafford
Housing Crisis
Green Belt
National Planning Policy Framework
Planning System
Planning Reform
Grey Belt
Local Authorities
Sustainable Development
Strategic Planning
Community Engagement
Planning Applications
Affordable Housing
Planning
Urban Planning
Local Government
Section 106 Agreements
Housing
Neighbourhood Planning
Artificial Intelligence
Planning Permissions

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.

50 Shades episodes include 'Hitting The High Notes', which are a series of conversations with leading planning and property figures. The c... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes173Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsGovernmentPolitics

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Artwork for 50 Shades of Planning

Latest Episodes

This is the fourth of a series of episodes being led by the oldest friend of the podcast, Paul Smith.

Paul put it to Sam Stafford that debates about the planning system in England tend, for the most part, to focus solely on the planning system in E... more

Sam Stafford was invited to a ProCon Leicestershire event in Leicester in October 2025 and also on the panel that evening was his old friend Grant Butterworth. Grant, Head of Planning at Leicester City Council, kindly invited Sam down early for a tou... more

This episode features the recording of an event hosted by Lorenzo Pandolfi and Simone Pagani in February 2026. Lorenzo and Simone invited Chris Katkowski and Russell Harris to tell the story of the Shard inquiry.

Chris and Russell, two of the most... more

"The second (epochal change) is the technology revolution led by developments in artificial intelligence, which will change everything. I mean everything. There is no point in debating whether this technological revolution is a good or bad thing. Jus... more

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Recent Guests

Sue Chadwick
Strategic Advisor
Pinsent Masons
Episode: The Tip of the AIceberg
Harry Quartermain
Head of Insight and Research
LandTech
Episode: The Tip of the AIceberg
Graham Stallwood
Interim Chief Executive
Planning Inspectorate
Episode: The Tip of the AIceberg
Elsie Blundell
Representative for Hayward in Middleton North
Labour MP
Episode: Meet the MPs - Labour
Mike Reader
Representative for Northampton South
Labour MP
Episode: Meet the MPs - Labour
Charlotte Leach
Communications and strategic advisory business owner
Independent consultant
Episode: Reform, reform and more Reform
Claire Tester
Head of strategic planning at the South Downs National Park Authority
South Downs National Park Authority
Episode: LGR
Jane Meek
Founder, Frontier Planning
Frontier Planning
Episode: LGR
James Hood
Director at Local Councils Network
Local Councils Network
Episode: LGR

Host

Sam Stafford
Host of the podcast; independent planner commentator

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 76 ratings
  • Friendly Informative Chat

    Tackling current planning and build environment issues- is an accessible friendly sometime challenging way. Learn more -Feel part of the conversation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Macplanner
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Planning pod cast

    A great cross sector pod cast. Should be compulsory listening for all planners.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AndrewJTaylor
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • By planners for planners

    This is where to come to fully immerse yourself in the intricacies of the planning system - topical, often funny, great guests and a warm atmosphere

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    1284749603
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Planners perspectives

    It’s great to hear the first hand experience of planners from across the spectrum.

    On life lessons episode. Some great advice! I would also advocate this to any planner, whatever their point on their career path.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bearwalton
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Excellent

    Well done, very interesting!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zaragreg
    United Kingdom5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Niche but deeply informative for planners and policymakers.
Guests are strong; occasionally some audience members feel host perspective shifts in later episodes
Professional, insightful discussions that pull in senior industry voices.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#81
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#108
New Zealand/Government
Apple Podcasts
#172
Hong Kong/Government
Apple Podcasts
#175
South Africa/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

We❤️Planning
Q: What is the current sentiment regarding local authority planners?
There's a recognition that while some local authorities are proactive, many are still lagging behind and not fully embracing the pro-growth agenda, which adds to the pressure on planners.
We❤️Planning
Q: What are the current challenges in the planning sector regarding planning applications?
The sector is facing delays due to statutory consultees and various hurdles that complicate the process of securing planning permissions.
All Around the World - USA
Q: How do recent liberal zoning codes affect housing outcomes in the US?
Places with more liberal zoning codes generally build more housing and have better affordability outcomes compared to restrictive areas.
All Around the World - USA
Q: Can the state government intervene in local zoning decisions?
The state could theoretically intervene, but the politics of repealing zoning would be too toxic, though states can impose limits on local authorities.
All Around the World - USA
Q: What is the relationship between federal and local governments in the US concerning zoning ordinances?
Localities operate with authority granted by states, which ultimately do not exist in the US Constitution; land use regulations come from states delegating police power to localities.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About 50 Shades of Planning

What is 50 Shades of Planning about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show focuses on the English planning system, exploring reform, local government restructures, and the politics that shape how developments move from idea to approval. Conversations span planning policy, devolution, and cross-border learnings, often featuring practitioner and policy expert guests who bring real-world experience from councils, consultancies, and law firms. A standout aspect is a mix of in-depth interviews with senior planners and cross-country comparisons, plus recurring theme series that spotlight pivotal projects and practical planning challenges for developers, communities, and local authorities. The format tends to blend rigor with accessibility, offering actionable insights for professionals while remaining engaging... more

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Which podcasts are similar to 50 Shades of Planning?

These podcasts share a similar audience with 50 Shades of Planning:

1. Room 106
2. Have We Got Planning News For You
3. Planning After Dark
4. Radical with Amol Rajan
5. Planning Law (With Chickens)

How many episodes of 50 Shades of Planning are there?

50 Shades of Planning launched 7 years ago and published 173 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on 50 Shades of Planning?

Recent guests on 50 Shades of Planning include:

1. Sue Chadwick
2. Harry Quartermain
3. Graham Stallwood
4. Elsie Blundell
5. Mike Reader
6. Charlotte Leach
7. Claire Tester
8. Jane Meek

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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