
70 episodes

The 50 Shades of Planning Podcast Samuel Stafford
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- Government
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4.7 • 43 Ratings
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Sam Stafford started writing the 50 Shades of Planning blog in 2012 and in 2019 turned it into a podcast. 50 Shades of Planning is about 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 is 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! If you would like to feature on 'Hitting The High Notes', or know somebody that would make a great guest, please email samstafford@hotmail.com.
If you have listened to Episode 45 of the 50 Shades of Planning Podcast you will have heard Clive Betts say that...
'In the Netherlands planning is seen as part of the solution. In the UK, too often, planning is seen as part of the problem'.
Sam said in reply that that would look good on a t-shirt and it does. Further details can be found here: http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2021/07/50-shades-of-planning-t-shirts.html
Sam is on Twitter (@samuel_stafford) and his blogs can be found here: http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com.
The 50 Shades of Planning Podcast is produced in association with BECG - the Built Environment Communications Group. BECG are on Twitter at @BECGUK and online at www.becg.com.
Why Fifty Shades? Well, planning is not a black and white endeavor. There are at least fifty shades in between...
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Hitting The High Notes - Anna Rose
Hitting The High Notes is town planning’s equivalent of Desert Island Discs. In these episodes Sam Stafford chats to preeminent figures in the planning and property sectors about the six planning permissions or projects that helped to shape them as professionals. And, so that we can get to know people a little better personally, for every permission or project Sam asks his guests for a piece of music that reminds them of that period of their career.
Unlike Desert Island Discs you will not hear any of that music during the episode because using commercially-licensed music without the copyright holders permission or a very expensive PRS licensing agreement could land Sam in hot water, so, when you have finished listening to this episode, you will have to make do with YouTube videos and a Spotify playlist, links to which you will find below.
Sam's guest for this episode of Hitting The High Notes is Anna Rose. After eschewing a career in fashion, Anna worked as a legal advisor at the National Farmers Union before joining Rugby Borough Council and working her way to become Head of Planning & Culture. After a spell as Service Director at Milton Keynes Council, Anna (@EPlanna) has since 2017 been the Head of the Planning Advisory Service (@pas_team) at the Local Government Association. Sam and Anna's conversation takes in the relationships and skills required to plan strategically and deliver major new development; leadership and systems thinking; and LPA recruitment practices.
Anna's song selections.
Fluorescent Adolescent - Arctic Monkeys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma9I9VBKPiw
Human - The Killers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIZdjT1472Y
Try – P!NK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTCDVfMz15M
Zombie – Jamie T
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PU4d5Iogd4
Tilted – Christine & The Queens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptu3TFmF0Jo
If I Got It (Your Love brought It) – Aaron Frazer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlNBg35ItSo
Anna's Spotify playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4NqDjMStSYGn3tlmBEYPR0?si=uGKpLS7mSSSyoTI3Sj8QuQ
Some accompanying reading
The Planning Advisory Service
https://www.local.gov.uk/latest-news-pas
Houlton, Rugby
https://houltonrugby.co.uk/
MK Futures 2050
https://www.mkfutures2050.com/
PAS' 'Return To Work' project
https://www.local.gov.uk/return-to-work-planning
50 Shades T-Shirts!
If you have listened to Episode 45 of the 50 Shades of Planning Podcast you will have heard Clive Betts say that...
'In the Netherlands planning is seen as part of the solution. In the UK, too often, planning is seen as part of the problem'.
Sam said in reply that that would look good on a t-shirt and it does. Further details can be found here: http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2021/07/50-shades-of-planning-t-shirts.html -
Place, Politics & The Piece Hall
When Sam Stafford saw that Create Streets and Onward were bringing their 'Restitch' conference to Halifax's Piece Hall, his favourite building, he could not have been more excited. He was though even more excited when the organisers agreed to let him set up a 'pop-up' recording studio at the back of one of the breakout rooms so as to record conversations with some of the conference's contributors during the day.
This bumper episode then is the accumulation of those recorded conversations and in it you will hear from (broken down into time slots if you are dipping in and out):
2m:35s
Ben Page, Chief Executive Officer, Ipsos (@benatipsos)
16m:05s
Andrew Taylor, Group Planning Director, Countryside (@AndrewJTaylor3) & Pete Gladwell, Group Social Impact & Investment Director, L&G (@petegladwell)
28m:48s
Amy Burbidge, Senior Master Development and Design Manager, Homes England (@AmyBurbidge2); Mike Axon, Managing Director, Vectos: and David Milner, Deputy Director, Create Streets (@djjmilner)
49m:00s
Neil O’Brien, Harborough MP & Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at DLUHC (@NeilDotObrien)
54m:45s
Nicky Chance-Thompson, Chief Executive, The Piece Hall Trust (@NickyChanThomDL)
01h:07m:00s
Tim Swift, Leader of Calderdale Council (@TimSwift)
01h:23m:10s
Nicholas Boys Smith, Director, Create Streets (@boys_nicholas)
Some accompanying reading
The 'Piece Hall Effect' is bringing millions into Calderdale's economy, new report reveals
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/piece-hall-effect-bringing-millions-calderdales-economy-new-report-reveals-1746319
Some accompanying viewing/listening
Gravity by Embrace, live at The Piece Hall (Sam was there)
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2421918771409236
50 Shades T-Shirts!
If you have listened to Episode 45 of the 50 Shades of Planning Podcast you will have heard Clive Betts say that...
'In the Netherlands planning is seen as part of the solution. In the UK, too often, planning is seen as part of the problem'.
Sam said in reply that that would look good on a t-shirt and it does. Further details can be found here: http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2021/07/50-shades-of-planning-t-shirts.html -
Three Things (or 'The 50 Shades Manifesto For Sensible Planning Reform')
Regular 50 Shades Listeners will know that Sam Stafford recently had dinner with a DLUHC Minister. The conversation during dessert turned, with a set piece Planning Bill off of the agenda, to the three most impactful things that Michael Gove could do to improve the planning system. Sam subsequently shared his thoughts on Twitter (see link below) and they provoked a bit of a discussion, which he thought worthy of exploring further in a 50 Shades episode.
This then is what prompted Episode 65’s 'Call for Evidence' in which Sam invited 50 Listeners to share their own suggestions for practical, pragmatic changes that, with little fuss and fanfare, could have a positive, meaningful impact on the planning system. Sam discusses the submissions, let's perhaps call them the '50 Shades Manifesto For Sensible Planning Reform', in this episode with Claire Petricca-Riding, Jonathan Easton and Paul Smith.
Claire (@PetriccaRiding) is a Partner and National Head of Planning & Environmental Law at Irwin Mitchell. Jonathan (@jonnye47) is full-time planning barrister at Kings Chambers and a part-time punster on Twitter. Paul (@paul_slg) is Managing Director at the Strategic Land Group.
Some accompanying reading.
Sam’s three areas for impactful planning reform
http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2022/03/three-things.html
Planning for the better future – RTPI Proposals for Planning Reform in England
https://www.rtpi.org.uk/policy/2021/march/planning-for-a-better-future/
Local development planning in Scotland - regulations and guidance consultation: part B - proposals for development planning regulations
https://www.gov.scot/publications/local-development-planning-regulations-guidance-consultation-part-b-proposals-development-planning-regulations/
The Future of Strategic Planning in England by the County Councils Network and Catriona Riddell Associates
https://www.countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/report-calls-on-government-to-implement-a-new-planning-model-as-two-thirds-of-councils-say-the-pressure-on-their-infrastructure-is-excessive-due-to-housing
RTPI South West Pilot Mentoring Programme for early career planners
https://www.rtpi.org.uk/swmentoring
'The Queen’s Speech – Levelling Up and Planning Reform, what can be legislated for?'
https://lichfields.uk/blog/2022/may/10/the-queen-s-speech-levelling-up-and-planning-reform-what-can-be-legislated-for/
Government response to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee report on The Future of the Planning System in England
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/future-of-the-planning-system-in-england-government-response-to-the-select-committee-report/government-response-to-the-levelling-up-housing-and-communities-select-committee-report-on-the-future-of-the-planning-system-in-england
The Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill: Highlights, Headlines and Henry the Eighth
https://imbusiness.passle.net/post/102hof6/the-levelling-up-regeneration-bill-highlights-headlines-and-henry-the-eighth
Local Plans Expert Group: report to the Secretary of State
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-plans-expert-group-report-to-the-secretary-of-state
Sir Oliver Letwin’s independent review of build out
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-build-out-final-report
Some accompanying listening.
The Verve – Three Steps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFiM4FORyC8
50 Shades T-Shirts!
If you have listened to Episode 45 of the 50 Shades of Planning Podcast you will have heard Clive Betts say that...
'In the Netherlands planning is seen as part of the solution. In the UK, too often, planning is seen as part of the problem'.
Sam said in reply that that would look good on a t-shirt and it does. Further details can be found here: http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2021/07/50-shades-of-planning-t-shirts.html -
Leading From The Front
‘Is there a local authority staffing crisis', Sam Stafford asked Catriona Riddell, Peter Geraghty and Paul Brocklehurst in Episode 60. That episode, regular listeners might recall, was informed by a 'Call for Evidence' and Sam invited people across the profession to share their thoughts on what life is actually like on planning’s front line.
It quickly became apparent that Catriona, Peter, Paul and Sam would not be able to do the submissions justice in an hour-long conversation so Sam reproduced them in full on the 50 Shades Blog.
To say that this topic struck something of a nerve is a bit of an understatement. The blog, at the time of this recording, has been viewed over 12,000 times. It does make for uncomfortable reading. Joey Gardiner described it in Planning magazine as a ‘veritable howl of despair’. “It portrays a system on the edge”, wrote Joey, “manned by staff crushed by overwork and pandemic isolation, and suffering regular abuse from the public and even members”.
The position is not uniform across the country, of course, and there are, also of course, lots of good planners in good local authorities doing lots of good work. That being said, based upon that Call for Evidence, there is a very strong case to say that there is indeed a local authority staffing crisis.
So then. What is to be done? Planners know that planning can and indeed should be at the heart of improving existing places and making great new ones. Why doesn’t everybody? Planners know the value of planning, but if local authority planners aren’t being valued, and aren’t being paid their worth, then who can blame them for doing something more rewarding?
Sam explores these themes in this episode with Ben Woolnough, Rebecca Coley, Pooja Agrawal and Paul Frainer.
Ben (@benhoward_w) is Planning Manager, East Suffolk Council; Rebecca (@PlanningGeek) is Head of Planning & Development at Trafford Council; Pooja (@AgrawalPooj) is CEO and co-founder at Public Practice; and Paul (@paulfrainer) is Head of Place/Climate Programme Lead at TPXimpact (latterly Assistant Director – Strategy & Economy at South Cambs and Cambridge City Councils).
Some accompanying reading.
The Life on the Front Line Blog
http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2021/12/life-on-front-line.html
The Design Code Pathfinder Programme
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/communities-empowered-to-shape-design-of-neighbourhoods
Local Government Terms & Conditions (Green Book)
https://www.local.gov.uk/local-government-terms-and-conditions-green-book
East Suffolk's GIS-based Annual Monitoring Report
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/dfbbb431cf6c44c88bc58975e59ce191
Some accompanying viewing.
Public Practice in Greater Cambridge
https://vimeo.com/635177034
Some accompanying listening.
Higher ground by Stevie Wonder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wZ3ZG_Wams
50 Shades T-Shirts!
If you have listened to Episode 45 of the 50 Shades of Planning Podcast you will have heard Clive Betts say that...
'In the Netherlands planning is seen as part of the solution. In the UK, too often, planning is seen as part of the problem'.
Sam said in reply that that would look good on a t-shirt and it does. Further details can be found here: http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2021/07/50-shades-of-planning-t-shirts.html -
Hitting The High Notes - Pete Swift
Hitting The High Notes is town planning’s equivalent of Desert Island Discs. In these episodes Sam Stafford chats to preeminent figures in the planning and property sectors about the six planning permissions or projects that helped to shape them as professionals. And, so that we can get to know people a little better personally, for every permission or project Sam asks his guests for a piece of music that reminds them of that period of their career.
Unlike Desert Island Discs you will not hear any of that music during the episode because using commercially-licensed music without the copyright holders permission or a very expensive PRS licensing agreement could land Sam in hot water, so, when you have finished listening to this episode, you will have to make do with YouTube videos and a Spotify playlist, links to which you will find below.
Sam's guest for this episode of Hitting The High Notes is Pete Swift. After graduating in Landscape Design & Plant Science at Sheffield University, and spending some time in Japan, Pete (@peteswifysan) co-founded landscape and design practice Planit. Their conversation takes in the Liverpool International Garden Festival, Michael Douglas in Black Rain and Tom Hicks and George Gillett's tenure at Anfield.
Pete's song selections.
Absolute - Scritti Politti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7Mk_JgesEM
Can’t be sure - The Sundays
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yARVs1ZNLjU
Unfinished Sympathy - Massive Attack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWmrfgj0MZI
Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYIAfiVGluk
Silver (Tidal Wave) - Echo and the Bunnymen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmYB8VejrC8
The System only Dreams in Total Darkness - The National
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O6duDDkhis
Pete's Spotify playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3VTPF6fYR45eQhrXJUrwos?si=PgY_UlMITiyVGROEeY3Nrg__;!!CbnuSKVWDws!xq_Lry1gzPm_vSXH2qTUMwK0ui4WeiwCcGwaxdDkr8dJFnOU
Some accompanying reading
Planit
https://www.planit-ie.com/our-projects/
Festival gardens: The fascinating and controversial history behind one of Liverpool's beauty spots
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/story-festival-gardens-wasteland-international-17133347
Why is there a Japanese Kyoto Garden in Holland Park?
https://londonist.com/london/great-outdoors/why-is-there-a-japanese-kyoto-garden-in-holland-park
Liverpool Waters
https://liverpoolwaters.co.uk/
What’s planned for Manchester Town Hall and Albert Square
https://secure.manchester.gov.uk/info/500354/our_town_hall/7297/our_town_hall_project_-_the_transformation/2
50 Shades T-Shirts!
If you have listened to Episode 45 of the 50 Shades of Planning Podcast you will have heard Clive Betts say that...
'In the Netherlands planning is seen as part of the solution. In the UK, too often, planning is seen as part of the problem'.
Sam said in reply that that would look good on a t-shirt and it does. Further details can be found here: http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2021/07/50-shades-of-planning-t-shirts.html -
Call for Evidence - Three Things
Sam Stafford's Twitter friends might have spotted that he had dinner with a DLUHC Minister last week. The conversation during dessert turned, with a set piece Planning Bill now off the agenda, to the three most impactful things that Michael Gove could do to improve the planning system. Sam subsequently shared his thoughts on Twitter and they provoked a bit of a discussion, which he thought worthy of exploring further in a 50 Shades episode.
This then is a Call for Evidence. Sam would like to know the three most impactful things that 50 Shades Listeners think Michael Gove could do to improve the planning system. Let's not talk in general terms about things like, for example, LPA resources or in radical terms about things like, for example, 'Growth, Renewal and Protection Areas'. Let's not "level the foundations and build, from the ground up, a whole new planning system for England". Let's talk in practical, pragmatic terms about the relatively modest changes that, with little fuss and fanfare, and certainly no requirement for legislation, could have a positive, meaningful impact on what it is that Planners are trying to achieve.
Sam's plan is to review your submissions with some of the regular 50 Shades crew and then he will piece everything together for onward transmission to Mr Gove.
If you are interested in being involved please send your contributions to samstafford@hotmail.com before the end of April.
Some accompanying reading.
Sam's Three Things
http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2022/03/three-things.html
Some accompanying listening.
Three is a Magic Number by Bob Dorough
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDbeVB4admk
50 Shades T-Shirts!
If you have listened to Episode 45 of the 50 Shades of Planning Podcast you will have heard Clive Betts say that...
'In the Netherlands planning is seen as part of the solution. In the UK, too often, planning is seen as part of the problem'.
Sam said in reply that that would look good on a t-shirt and it does. Further details can be found here: http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2021/07/50-shades-of-planning-t-shirts.html
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Well done, very interesting!
So glad I found a planning podcast!! Who knew there would be such a thing
I am so happy I have found this podcast, I am training to be a planner, I will be the only one in the company as I work for a financial wealth firm!I am currently studying towards my HnD in Environmental Studies to enable me to complete my degree in Urban and Rural planning. I listen to this podcast whilst at work to give me some exposure to planning specific topics and knowledge. It’s been so helpful and I have caught up to speed with the last way episode since first discovering it in November 2020. I’ve learnt a lot already and listening to you and the guest speakers really does encourage me to keep going and achieve my goal to be a planner, who knows maybe one day I’ll be a guest speaker! Thank you for creating this amazing podcast
The best planning podcast out there
If you’re interested in town planning and all its facets, you’re going to like this podcast. Sam and his revolving carousel of interesting guests always cover great subjects in some depth without ever losing you in technical jargon. One for your commute planning types.