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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
Urban Planning
Local Government
Section 106 Agreements
Planning
Neighbourhood Planning
Planning Permissions
Localism
Housing

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 monthlyEpisodes169Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsGovernment

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Artwork for 50 Shades of Planning

Latest Episodes

The role of local councillors in the planning system has been a familiar topic of conversation on the podcast in the context of, for example, overturning officer recommendations and the case for a national scheme of delegation. There is less talk abo... more

Sam Stafford was in Manchester recently and took the opportunity to catch up with friends of the podcast Charlotte Leach, Katie Wray, Claire Petricca-Riding and Paul Smith.

Their conversation, recorded at Reform Radio, was a good old fashioned 50 S... more

The 2026 local elections will likely turn out to be significant for a number of reasons. Westminster psychodrama aside though, one area of immediate interest, for example, is what the increased number of councils under no overall control will mean fo... more

Sam Stafford was in Birmingham recently and took the opportunity to catch up with friends of the podcast Mike Best, Kathryn Ventham and Michelle Simpson-Gallego at PodHaus studios in Digbeth.

They talked about why the recent consultation on areas f... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Katie Wray
Director at Deloitte Real Estate
Deloitte Real Estate
Episode: Reform, reform and more Reform
Jane Meek
Founder, Frontier Planning
Frontier Planning
Episode: LGR
James Hood
Director at Local Councils Network
Local Councils Network
Episode: LGR
Kathryn Ventham
Senior Director at 25 Planning
25 Planning
Episode: The West Midlands Problem (plus Grey Belt and some other stuff)
Michelle Simpson-Gallego
Senior Planning Manager at Terra Strategic
Terra Strategic
Episode: The West Midlands Problem (plus Grey Belt and some other stuff)
Nina Pindham
Barrister at Cornerstone Barristers
Cornerstone Barristers
Episode: What is really wrong with the Habitats Regulations?
Julian Arthur
Director at Tyler Grange
Tyler Grange
Episode: What is really wrong with the Habitats Regulations?
Charlie Banner
Head of Policy at Britain Remade (and Theme speaker)
Britain Remade
Episode: What is really wrong with the Habitats Regulations?
Sally Hayns
CEO at the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
CIEEM
Episode: What is really wrong with the Habitats Regulations?

Host

Sam Stafford
Host of the podcast; independent planner commentator

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 75 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
#60
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#250
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#39
South Africa/Government
Apple Podcasts
#101
China/Government
Apple Podcasts
#123
Hong Kong/Government
Apple Podcasts
#156
India/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
Social Media Reach

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. Planning After Dark
3. Politics Weekly UK
4. Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government
5. The Rest Is Money

How many episodes of 50 Shades of Planning are there?

50 Shades of Planning launched 7 years ago and published 169 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. Katie Wray
2. Jane Meek
3. James Hood
4. Kathryn Ventham
5. Michelle Simpson-Gallego
6. Nina Pindham
7. Julian Arthur
8. Charlie Banner

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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