<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelstafford/" target="_blank">Sam Stafford</a> was in London recently and took the opportunity to catch up with old friends of the podcast <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mskiely/" target="_blank">Mike Kiely</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-gingell-05123286/" target="_blank">Annie Gingell</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-taylor-frtpi-42555131/" target="_blank">Andrew Taylor</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomsoniain/" target="_blank">Iain Thomson</a>, and new friend of the podcast <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-tester-36824084/" target="_blank">Claire Tester</a>.</p> <p>In a conversation recorded at <a href="https://sohoradio.com/" target="_blank">Soho Radio</a> they chatted about a few of the hot topics in the fast-paced, ever-changing, rock and roll world of town and country planning right now.</p> <p>They talked about the recent NPPF consultation; taking some of the 'grit' out of the system; they talked about planning committees in relation to the impact of local elections, new notification processes, a national scheme of delegation and strategic committees; and towards the end there is a bit of local plan and neighbourhood plan chat.</p> <p>Some accompanying reading.</p> <p><a href="https://medium.com/@elfrada.josephine/book-review-for-in-search-of-excellence-written-by-tom-peters-and-robert-h-waterman-jr-da9706004071" target="_blank">Book review for, “In Search of Excellence”, written by Tom Peters and Robert H. Waterman Jr.</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fees-for-planning-applications" target="_blank">Fees for planning applications</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-committee-reform-draft-regulations-and-guidance/planning-committee-reform-statutory-consultation-on-draft-regulations-and-guidance" target="_blank">Planning committee reform: statutory consultation on draft Regulations and guidance</a></p> <p><a href="https://longwall.substack.com/p/the-cia-has-views-on-planning-committees" target="_blank">What the CIA can teach us about the need to reform planning committees</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/communications-and-community-engagement/pre-election-period/what-pre-election-period" target="_blank">What the 'pre-election period' means in practice</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/roadmap-of-resources-and-support-new-local-plan-making-system/new-local-plan-making-system-roadmap" target="_blank">New local plan-making system roadmap</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/more-radical-change-the-basic-conditions-for-neighbourhood-plans" target="_blank">More Radical Change: the Basic Conditions for Neighbourhood Plans</a></p> <p><a href="https://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2026/04/simonicity-ten-years-time.html" target="_blank">Simonicity - "Ten Years Time"</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HBKZ6FJ" target="_blank">Public Sector RTPI Survey</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HGB3SB8" target="_blank">Private Sector RTPI Survey</a></p> <p>Some accompanying listening.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XwTxWHHuAQ" target="_blank">Colorama - Some Things Just Take Time</a></p> <p>Any other business.</p> <p>If you enjoy the episode do please consider bolstering Sam's fragile self-esteem by leaving the podcast a nice rating and a nice review wherever you listened to it. Obviously though if you have not enjoyed it then please do not leave a review, but do please feel free to let Sam know why (via [email protected]). Feedback on 50 Shades episodes is always welcome.</p> <p>If you have enjoyed to the extent that you feel compelled to share the podcast on one your social platforms then, if you tag Sam, you will be entitled to an exclusive and much-sought after 50 Shades of Planning mug.</p> <p>If you are a new listener do please check out the back catalogue where you will find episodes on myriad planning topics, as well as the Hitting The High Notes and All Around the World series, and remember that by subscribing new episodes will magically appear in your phone as soon as Sam has published them.</p> <p>50 Shades of Planning is the podcast by planners and for planners and so if you would like to use it as a platform for sharing anything you think that the sector needs to be talking about then you are also very welcome to get in touch with Sam.</p> <p>Sam is grateful to <a href="https://www.richborough.co.uk/" target="_blank">Richborough</a>, <a href="https://www.townlegal.com/" target="_blank">Town Legal</a> and <a href="https://tylergrange.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tyler Grange</a> for supporting the podcast; to <a href="https://www.vistry.co.uk/" target="_blank">Vistry</a> for sponsoring the 50 Shades mugs; and to <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanley-mac-bain-25b871306/" target="_blank">Stanley Bain</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianmeehan/" target="_blank">Adrian Meehan</a> for recording and editing this episode.</p>