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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes176Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for 50 Shades of Planning

Latest Episodes

A couple of months ago Sam Stafford saw that Shaun Knights at Preston City Council and national vice chair of the Young Planning Officers Society (POS) had posted on LinkedIn encouraging nominations for POS’ ‘Emerging Planner Award’ (EPA).

“I’ve a... more

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 London recently and whilst there caught up with friends of the podcast Hana Loftus, Mike Kiely, Nicola Gooch, Simon Ricketts and Andrew Taylor.

Hana is a Director at HAT Projects; Mike is a former Chief Planner and now an indepe... more

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

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Recent Guests

Stuart Donovan
Economist and senior fellow with Motu Research
Motu Research
Episode: All Around the World - New Zealand
Sir Peter Soulsby
Leicester City Mayor and long-serving local politician
Leicester City Council / Mayor of Leicester
Episode: Hitting the High Notes - Peter Soulsby
Lorenzo Piano
Renowned architect of the Shard
Renzo Piano Building Workshop
Episode: The Shard Inquiry
Chris Katkowski
Barrister and participant in the inquiry
Kings Chambers
Episode: The Shard Inquiry
Russell Harris
Barrister and participant in the inquiry
Landmark Chambers
Episode: The Shard Inquiry
Simone Pagani
Planning professional introducing the discussion
GIA Surveyors
Episode: The Shard Inquiry
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

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
#87
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#98
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#197
Hong Kong/Government
Apple Podcasts
#202
South Africa/Government
Apple Podcasts
#245
New Zealand/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Shard Inquiry
Q: So Lorenzo, how did this all start and how did the team come together for the Shard project?
The Shard journey began with forming a team after the Heron Tower inquiry, with early engagement from Irvine Sellar and the decision to bring in Renzo Piano. The approach combined Italian architectural vision with a strong team, bold narrative, and careful planning to persuade inspectors and government bodies.
All Around the World - New Zealand
Q: What were the major changes introduced in Auckland to enable upzoning and growth?
A widespread but modest upzoning across about 75% of the urban area, shifting more development to townhouses and reducing parking requirements in a large portion of the city, which unleveled a strong development response and helped affordability.
All Around the World - New Zealand
Q: Roughly how long does it take to get a permit for a new development in New Zealand?
There are statutory guidelines around 30 days, but the key is that speed isn't the main problem; the variation and certainty of outcomes matter more, with decisions taking several months and some projects facing longer, unpredictable timelines.
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.

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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How many listeners does 50 Shades of Planning get?

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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. Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government
5. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast

How many episodes of 50 Shades of Planning are there?

50 Shades of Planning launched 7 years ago and published 176 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. Stuart Donovan
2. Sir Peter Soulsby
3. Lorenzo Piano
4. Chris Katkowski
5. Russell Harris
6. Simone Pagani
7. Sue Chadwick
8. Harry Quartermain

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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