Rephonic
Artwork for 50 Shades of Planning

50 Shades of Planning

Samuel Stafford
Housing Delivery
Planning Magazine
Sustainable Development
Brownfield Development
Planning Performance Agreements
National Planning Policy Framework
Local Authorities
Pre-Application Advice
Local Planning Authorities
Planning Reform Day
Section 106 Agreements
Planning Reform
Green Belt
Planning Law
Local Authority Finances
Community Engagement
Compensation Payments
Town Planning
Project Management
Section 106 Contributions

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.

50 Shades episodes include 'Hitting The High Notes', which are a series of conversations with leading planning and property figures. The c... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes159Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsGovernmentNews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for 50 Shades of Planning

Latest Episodes

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, M... more

In October 2025 Sam Stafford came across a blog by Jack Airey, who is now a Director at Public First but was the Head of Planning at Policy Exchange and subsequently spent a few years inside Number 10 as a Special Advisor to the Prime Minister. The o... more

Strategic planning is back.

What do we know?

We know that Policy PM1 of the revised draft NPPF anticipates the move towards national coverage of Spatial Development Strategies (SDSs), as promised by the end of the parliamentary term, and clarifi... more

This is the second of Sam Stafford's seasonal offerings which serve as a review of another exciting year in the fast-paced, ever-changing, rock and roll world of town and country planning.

Once again Zack Simons kindly bestowed upon Sam the honour ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Jack Airey
Director at Public First and former head of planning at Policy Exchange
Public First
Episode: How Does Bad Policy Get Made?
Simon Gallagher
Former Director of Planning in the Department for Communities and Local Government
Department for Communities and Local Government
Episode: How Does Bad Policy Get Made?
Rachel Maclean
Former Minister of State for Housing and Planning, now Baroness Maclean of Redditch
Episode: How Does Bad Policy Get Made?
Steve Quartermain
Former Chief Planner
Episode: How Does Bad Policy Get Made?
Melissa Neighbour
Founder and Principal Planner at Sky Planning in Sydney
Sky Planning
Episode: All Around the World - Australia
Paul Smith
Managing Director at the Strategic Land Group and a Housing Today columnist
Strategic Land Group
Episode: All Around the World - Australia
Mike Kiely
Chair of the Planning Officer Society
Planning Officer Society
Episode: Who's In Control?
Annie Gingell
Associate Director at Turley
Turley
Episode: Who's In Control?
Gilian Macinnes
Consultant, Trainer and Manager in Public Sector
Episode: Who's In Control?

Host

Sam Stafford
Host of the 50 Shades of Planning podcast, focusing on the intricacies of the English planning system and the diverse experiences within the sector.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 75 ratings
  • Friendly Informative Chat

    Tackling current planning and build environment issues- is an accessible friendly sometime challenging way. Learn more -Feel part of the conversation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Macplanner
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Planning pod cast

    A great cross sector pod cast. Should be compulsory listening for all planners.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AndrewJTaylor
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • By planners for planners

    This is where to come to fully immerse yourself in the intricacies of the planning system - topical, often funny, great guests and a warm atmosphere

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    1284749603
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Planners perspectives

    It’s great to hear the first hand experience of planners from across the spectrum.

    On life lessons episode. Some great advice! I would also advocate this to any planner, whatever their point on their career path.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bearwalton
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Excellent

    Well done, very interesting!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zaragreg
    United Kingdom5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners suggest a need for more diverse guest appearances and a broader political spectrum in discussions, while others emphasize the importance of nuanced viewpoints within planning debates.
Listeners appreciate the depth and accessibility of discussions around current planning issues, often finding the content both informative and engaging.
The podcast is praised for its professional yet approachable tone, with many expressing enjoyment of the personal stories integrated into the discussions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#15
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#182
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#247
France/Government
Apple Podcasts
#66
China/Government
Apple Podcasts
#102
India/Government
Apple Podcasts
#108
Argentina/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

We❤️Planning
Q: What is the current sentiment regarding local authority planners?
There's a recognition that while some local authorities are proactive, many are still lagging behind and not fully embracing the pro-growth agenda, which adds to the pressure on planners.
We❤️Planning
Q: What are the current challenges in the planning sector regarding planning applications?
The sector is facing delays due to statutory consultees and various hurdles that complicate the process of securing planning permissions.
All Around the World - USA
Q: How do recent liberal zoning codes affect housing outcomes in the US?
Places with more liberal zoning codes generally build more housing and have better affordability outcomes compared to restrictive areas.
All Around the World - USA
Q: Can the state government intervene in local zoning decisions?
The state could theoretically intervene, but the politics of repealing zoning would be too toxic, though states can impose limits on local authorities.
All Around the World - USA
Q: What is the relationship between federal and local governments in the US concerning zoning ordinances?
Localities operate with authority granted by states, which ultimately do not exist in the US Constitution; land use regulations come from states delegating police power to localities.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About 50 Shades of Planning

What is 50 Shades of Planning about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content focuses on various aspects of the English planning system, featuring discussions around planning permissions, housing crises, and zoning issues. Each episode often includes a guest from the planning or property sectors who shares personal experiences and insights on their careers, making for a dynamic and engaging exploration of the challenges and nuances of urban development. The format uniquely integrates personal anecdotes with professional analysis, allowing listeners to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in planning decisions while also enjoying elements of storytelling, such as musical reflections linked to each guest's significant projects. The podcast appeals to both seasoned professionals and ne... more

Where can I find podcast stats for 50 Shades of Planning?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for 50 Shades of Planning. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to 50 Shades of Planning and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does 50 Shades of Planning get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for 50 Shades of Planning, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for 50 Shades of Planning?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for 50 Shades of Planning, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does 50 Shades of Planning have?

To see how many followers or subscribers 50 Shades of Planning has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to 50 Shades of Planning?

These podcasts share a similar audience with 50 Shades of Planning:

1. Room 106
2. Have We Got Planning News For You
3. Planning After Dark
4. Planning Law (With Chickens)
5. The News Agents

How many episodes of 50 Shades of Planning are there?

50 Shades of Planning launched 7 years ago and published 159 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact 50 Shades of Planning?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for 50 Shades of Planning?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for 50 Shades of Planning from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for 50 Shades of Planning?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of 50 Shades of Planning. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on 50 Shades of Planning?

Recent guests on 50 Shades of Planning include:

1. Jack Airey
2. Simon Gallagher
3. Rachel Maclean
4. Steve Quartermain
5. Melissa Neighbour
6. Paul Smith
7. Mike Kiely
8. Annie Gingell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days