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
A new vision for water: white paper
RTPI West Midlands Young Planners
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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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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