by Samuel Stafford
<p>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.</p> <p>50 Shades episodes include 'Hitting The High Notes', which are a series of conversations with leading planning and property figures. The conversations take in the six milestone planning permissions or projects within a contributor’s career and for every project guests are invited to choose a piece of music that they were listening to at that time. Think Desert Island Discs, but for planners.</p> <p>Sam is on Bluesky (@samuelstafford.bsky.social) and Instagram (@samuel__stafford), and his blogs can be found here: <a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3A%2F%2Fsamuelstafford.blogspot.com%2F&c=E,1,ERKp_KYZip21Zrq2YpkZSkvRm3enjUgzPP_AtXF4yT-1LOvx8C8UNUnKkDBNLdLmNcFqmcPVXCFttuUQN_qfc5LjJTsXvh3Z6QNRntOC-LcL&typo=1" target="_blank">http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com</a> (from where you can also sign up for his newsletter and buy a <a href="http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2021/07/50-shades-of-planning-t-shirts.html" target="_blank">t-shirt</a>).</p> <p>The 50 Shades platforms are expressions of Sam's personal opinions, which may or may not represent the opinions of his past, present or future employers.</p> <p>50 Shades of Planning is by planners and for planners and so if you would like to use the podcast or the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@FiftyShadesofPlanning" target="_blank">YouTube</a> channel for sharing anything you think that the sector needs to be talking about then do please feel free to get in touch with Sam via [email protected].</p> <p>Why Fifty Shades? Well, planning is not a black and white endeavour. There are at least fifty shades in between....</p>
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Publishing Since
4/15/2019
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April 26, 2025
Host Sam Stafford discusses the successes and challenges of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) one year after its implementation with industry experts Martin Hutchings, Helen Nyul, Neil Beamsley, Julian Arthur, and Nina Pindham in an interview.
April 12, 2025
Sam Stafford interviews industry experts Matthew Spry, Simon Ricketts, Hana Loftus, Vicky Payne, and Mike Kiely about improving efficiency in development management and planning applications.
March 29, 2025
<p>The fast-paced, ever-changing, rock and roll world of town and country planning has been especially fast-paced, ever-changing and rock and roll of late.</p> <p>How then to try to catch up? Sam Stafford thought that the best way of doing so was to reprise the ‘Labour of Love’ episode that he published back in August of last year. Here then you will hear elements of nine conversations recorded online between friends of the podcast old and new about nine themes of the Government’s crystalising reform agenda.</p> <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/catriona-riddell-b418a322/" target="_blank">Catriona Riddell</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-taylor-frtpi-42555131/" target="_blank">Andrew Taylor</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-meek-31aa23137/" target="_blank">Jane Meek</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexcoley/" target="_blank">Alex Coley</a> talk about strategic planning, devolution and local government reorganisation (06.54);</p> <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-dickson-4762263a/" target="_blank">Greg Dickson</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-sayer-mrics-aciarb-82554513/" target="_blank">John Sayer</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-clutten-1b22a939/" target="_blank">Rebecca Clutton</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-lee-42a3b14/" target="_blank">Anthony Lee</a> talk about CPO, land value capture and benchmark land value (17.42);</p> <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairepetriccariding/" target="_blank">Claire Petricca-Riding</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilian-macinnes-bsc-mba-mrtpi-8b313a28/" target="_blank">Gilian MacInnes</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-mclaughlin-seniorleader/" target="_blank">Sarah McLaughlin</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbie-owen-9b954aa/" target="_blank">Robbie Owen</a> talk about infrastructure planning (28.12);</p> <p>Andrew, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-rouse-017086177/" target="_blank">Shelly Rouse</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mskiely/" target="_blank">Mike Kiely</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adele-morris-3b2694270/" target="_blank">Adele Morris</a> talk about planning committees (36.26);</p> <p>Claire, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanaloftus/" target="_blank">Hana Loftus</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-pindham-4a68a82a9/" target="_blank">Nina Pindham</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-beamsley-436b3b96/" target="_blank">Neil Beamsley</a> talk about development and nature recovery (46.11);</p> <p>Andrew, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-gingell-05123286/" target="_blank">Annie Gingell</a>, Hana and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-young-6161b281/" target="_blank">Sarah Young</a> talk about Grey Belt (54.22);</p> <p>Andrew and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-smith-b10aa820/" target="_blank">Paul Smith</a> talk about statutory consultees (01.02.42); </p> <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-castell/" target="_blank">Ben Castell</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-wray-a91a5827/" target="_blank">Katie Wray</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicky-payne-6b05b939/" target="_blank">Vicky Payne</a> and Hana talk about design and placemaking (01.13.21); and</p> <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hashi-mohamed-82b5515b/" target="_blank">Hashi Mohamed</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-ventham-7ba66a76/" target="_blank">Kathryn Ventham</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-mirams-849a2a40/" target="_blank">Simon Mirams</a> talk about the flood risk sequential test (01.24.45).</p> <p>The full conversations will appear on the 50 Shades YouTube channel in due course and Sam will share the respective links on the 50 Shades <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/50shadesofplanning.bsky.social" target="_blank">Bluesky</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fifty-shades-of-planning-650360344/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@50shadesofplanning" target="_blank">TikTok</a> channels when they are published.</p> <p>Some accompanying reading.</p> <p>JEKC</p> <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jonnye47_cancerupdate-heritagedogs-cancer-activity-7302314550916206594-SfWx?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAQM68YBQd5bME4OE5Z3-mAwdOa0gQ4uHYg" target="_blank">David's Tribute</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.sjhospice.org.uk/" target="_blank">St. John's Hospice</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/" target="_blank">Bowel Cancer UK</a></p> <p>Context</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/biggest-building-boom-in-a-generation-through-planning-reforms" target="_blank">'Biggest building boom' in a generation through planning reforms</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-planning-and-infrastructure-bill" target="_blank">The Planning and Infrastructure Bill</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.irwinmitchell.com/news-and-insights/expert-comment/post/102k3cp/the-planning-infrastructure-bill-an-overview" target="_blank">The Planning & Infrastructure Bill: An Overview</a></p> <p>Devolution</p> <p><a href="https://lichfields.uk/blog/2025/march/10/devolving-local-growth-how-do-the-emerging-geographies-shape-up" target="_blank">Devolving local growth: how do the emerging geographies shape up?</a></p> <p>CPO / LVC / BLV</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/compulsory-purchase-process-guidance" target="_blank">Compulsory purchase process: guidance (October 2024 update)</a></p> <p><a href="https://lawcom.gov.uk/news/law-commission-seeks-views-on-compulsory-purchase-laws/" target="_blank">Law Commission seeks views on compulsory purchase laws</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/compulsory-purchase-process-and-compensation-reforms/compulsory-purchase-process-and-compensation-reforms" target="_blank">Compulsory Purchase Process and Compensation Reforms</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.savills.co.uk/research_articles/229130/267514-0" target="_blank">How far can land value capture be pushed?</a></p> <p>Infrastructure</p> <p><a href="https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/news/growth-drives-infrastructure-housing-planning-reform" target="_blank">Growth drives major infrastructure and housing planning reform proposals</a></p> <p>Planning Committees</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-reform-working-paper-planning-committees" target="_blank">Planning Reform Working Paper: Planning Committees</a></p> <p><a href="https://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2024/11/on-modernising-planning-committees.html" target="_blank">On modernising planning committees</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.local.gov.uk/pas/applications/planning-committee/modernising-planning-committees-national-survey-2025" target="_blank">Modernising Planning Committees National Survey 2025</a></p> <p>Nature Restoration</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-reform-working-paper-development-and-nature-recovery" target="_blank">Planning Reform Working Paper: Development and Nature Recovery</a></p> <p><a href="https://consult.defra.gov.uk/land-use-framework/land-use-consultation/" target="_blank">Land Use Consultation</a></p> <p>Grey Belt</p> <p><a href="https://lichfields.uk/blog/2025/march/05/how-grey-is-the-green-belt" target="_blank">How grey is the Green Belt?</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.planoraks.com/posts-1/the-grey-belt-has-arrived" target="_blank">The “Grey Belt” has arrived</a></p> <p><a href="https://simonicity.com/2025/03/02/colouring-in-the-grey-belt-the-ppg/" target="_blank">Colouring In The Grey Belt: The PPG</a></p> <p><a href="https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/518/built-environment-committee/news/205110/grey-belt-policy-having-only-a-marginal-impact-at-best/" target="_blank">Grey belt policy having only a marginal impact at best</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.lpdf.co.uk/latest-lpdf-publications" target="_blank">Grey Belt Impact Assessment</a></p> <p>Stat Cons</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bureaucratic-burden-lifted-to-speed-up-building-in-growth-agenda" target="_blank">Bureaucratic burden lifted to speed up building in growth agenda</a></p> <p><a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-03-10/hcws510" target="_blank">Reform of the Statutory Consultee System</a></p> <p><a href="https://simonicity.com/2025/03/10/cons-pros/" target="_blank">Cons & Pros</a></p> <p><a href="http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2024/11/on-stat-cons.html" target="_blank">On Stat Cons</a></p> <p>Flood Risk Sequential Test</p> <p><a href="https://lichfields.uk/blog/2024/december/20/more-afloat-new-nppf-and-the-sequential-test" target="_blank">More Afloat – New NPPF and the Sequential Test</a></p> <p><a href="https://environmentagency.blog.gov.uk/2025/01/28/enhancing-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-digital-services-with-the-latest-data-and-mapping/" target="_blank">Enhancing flood and coastal erosion risk digital services with the latest data and mapping</a></p> <p>Some accompanying listening.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAgnJDJN4VA" target="_blank">Back in Black - AC/DC</a></p> <p>50 Shades T-Shirts!</p> <p>If you have listened to <a href="https://pod.co/50-shades-of-planning/a-conversation-with-clive-betts" target="_blank">Episode 45</a> of the 50 Shades of Planning you will have heard Clive Betts say that...</p> <p><i>'In the Netherlands planning is seen as part of the solution. In the UK, too often, planning is seen as part of the problem'.</i></p> <p>Sam said in reply that that would look good on a t-shirt and it does. Further details can be found <a href="http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2021/07/50-shades-of-planning-t-shirts.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>Any other business.</p> <p>Sam is on Bluesky (@samuelstafford.bsky.social) and Instagram (@samuel__stafford). His <a href="https://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> contains a link to his newsletter.</p>
Planning magazine
HWGPNFY
Goalhanger
Persephonica
Global
Sky News
Global
Institute for Government
BBC News
Financial Times
Goalhanger
IFS/IfG/UKICE
The Guardian
The New Statesman
Steve Richards
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