Happy New Year and welcome to 2026. In this opening episode of the year, join Catriona, Alex and Jackie for a frank, funny and thoughtful stocktake of 2025 - a year of big promises, heavy lifting and hard-earned foundations - and a look ahead to what 2026 could mean for planning, housing and place leadership. The conversation begins with a temperature check on 2025: landmark funding announcements, planning reform, the return of strategic planning after years in the wilderness, and renewed attention on housing delivery. The trio reflect on whether last year felt transformative or frustratingly flat, debating political will, the challenge of maintaining focus in a volatile world, and whether government spent much of the year rebuilding what had been stripped away rather than visibly moving forward. Alex shares reflections from her first days in her new role as Chief Executive of the Housing Forum, talking candidly about what she’s seeing on the ground: the loss of public-sector housing expertise, the slow thawing of development activity, and early signs that confidence may finally be returning among registered providers and investors. From payroll realities to big-picture reform, her experience offers a timely lens on what delivery really looks like as the sector enters 2026. From there, the discussion turns to what “delivery, delivery, delivery” actually means in practice. How do we move from legislation, consultation and reform to homes being built, infrastructure delivered and lives improved? The episode explores the tension between evidence-based policy and the need for bold thinking in a fast-changing, social-media-driven environment and why sometimes evidence should expose options rather than dictate outcomes. Looking ahead, the hosts dig into some of the most significant themes shaping 2026: local government reorganisation and capacity, the evolving role of combined authorities, public land and regeneration, and the importance of leadership at every scale. Jackie talks openly about her journey from sceptic to participant in the ambitious Forest City proposal - a radical attempt to rethink scale, disruption and delivery in response to a broken housing system. Katrina makes the case for strategic planning as a long-term, outcome-driven tool for reimagining places and improving lives, rather than simply managing growth. Along the way, there are reflections on inward investment, regional growth, institutional capital, regeneration at scale (from the Olympic Park to Bristol Temple Quarter), and the need for optimism, bravery and collaboration in a sector that has taken a battering. Optimistic without being naïve, challenging without being cynical, this episode sets the tone for Planning After Dark in 2026: encouraging the sector to be bolder, think differently, celebrate progress where it exists, and, occasionally, to take a chance. Get in touch! Message us at ask@planningafterdark.co.uk Planning After Darkis the bold and insightful podcast where three powerhouse women in planning and development - Alex Notay, Catriona Riddell, and Jackie Sadek - shine a light on the industry’s biggest challenges, trends, and, yes, even a bit of behind-the-scenes gossip. From navigating the complexities of development to debating the future of our cities, Planning After Dark is the no-holds-barred discussion you won’t want to miss. Powered by Cratus Group, new episodes drop monthly on all major streaming platforms.
