The West Midlands Problem (plus Grey Belt and some other stuff)

The West Midlands Problem (plus Grey Belt and some other stuff)

Author: Samuel Stafford May 2, 2026 Duration: 56:32
50 Shades of Planning
GovernmentArtsBusinessDesignNewsPoliticsScienceSocial

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 for producing Spatial Development Strategies seemed to generate more interest in the West Midlands than other parts of the country (an issue for which this episode has named); they talked about the politics of Grey Belt; they talked about some live development management issues, including LPAs basing decisions on unpublished evidence; and they touched on PINS’ recent performance.

Some accompanying reading.

Areas for producing spatial development strategies

Will the real West Midlands please stand up?

Elections 2026

How Long Are Local Plan Examinations Taking?

Planning After Dark LIVE at UKREiiF with Cratus Group

Toxic Communications and Relational Planning

SM sites for SME builders

Some accompanying viewing.

What the local election results mean for housebuilding

Some accompanying listening.

City Minutes: The Croydon planning experiment

The Nightingales - Gales Doc

Any other business.

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Sam is grateful to Richborough, Town Legal and Tyler Grange for supporting the podcast; to Vistry for sponsoring the 50 Shades mugs; and to Carl Thomas-Edwards and Adrian Meehan for recording and editing this episode.


Samuel Stafford hosts 50 Shades of Planning, a podcast that digs into the often perplexing world of the English planning system. Rather than offering dry policy lectures, these conversations embrace the sector's inherent complexities and occasional absurdities. The aim is to provide a wide-ranging view, bringing in diverse voices from across the fields of planning, property, design, and development. You'll hear from practitioners, thinkers, and critics, each sharing their unique experiences and perspectives on how places are shaped. A recurring series within the podcast, titled 'Hitting The High Notes', features in-depth discussions with leading figures, examining pivotal career moments and influential projects. These talks are structured around six key planning milestones, offering a concrete framework for understanding professional journeys and systemic challenges. By weaving together themes from government, business, arts, and social sciences, this podcast reveals how planning sits at a crowded intersection of politics, economics, and community life. Tune in for thoughtful, sometimes surprising, explorations of the forces that decide what gets built, where, and why.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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