Sam Stafford was in Birmingham recently and took the opportunity to record the first ‘catch up’-style episode with some of his friends working in the West Midlands.
In a conversation recorded at PodHaus studios, Kathryn Ventham, Myles Wild-Smith, Michelle Simpson-Gallego and Sam enjoyed a rambling conversation that takes in, amongst other things, the extent to which Grey Belt is driving the increase in planning applications for new homes; the ‘grit in the system’, particularly stat cons, specifically water companies, and the RP / S106 stock issue; plan-making in the West Midlands, the case for a national spatial plan; and why it is that most young people have never heard of the fast-paced, ever-changing, rock and roll world of town and country planning.
Some accompanying reading.
Policy statement: a roadmap for Section 106 delivery in England
Making sense of the roadmap: will MHCLG’s latest attempts to kickstart Section 106 affordable housing deliver?
Greater Affordable Housing Flex Announced For Some Stalled Schemes; Other Announcements On Affordable Housing & On S106
A new vision for water: white paper
RTPI West Midlands Young Planners
Public Practice is recruiting multiple new roles for its Board, including a new Chair and two Non-Executive Directors
2026 Housing Design Awards Entries Now Open
Awards for Planning Excellence 2026
Housing Quick Wins: Call for Evidence
Removing grit from the planning system and speeding up the process
Some accompanying viewing.
Brookbanks Podcast Episode #9: 2025 reflections, a year of change for the planning industry?
Some accompanying listening.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Teach Your Children
Any other business.
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50 Shades of Planning is the podcast by planners and for planners and so if you would like to use it as a platform for sharing anything you think that the sector needs to be talking about then you are very welcome to get in touch with.
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 Rachael Cooper for recording and editing this episode.
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