This episode sees the return of the 50 Shades of Planning Festive Christmas Quiz.

Sam Stafford got together with friends of podcast Mike Kiely, Catriona Riddell, Annie Gingell, Andrew Taylor, Nicola Gooch, Shelly Rouse, Ben Castell and Gilian Macinnes to review what has been another exciting year in the fast-paced, ever-changing, rock and roll world of town and country planning.

Based upon a selection of Planning Magazine’s most-read stories (kindly provided by Richard Garlick), Sam tested their knowledge of some of the themes that have prevailed most strongly in 2025. You will hear Sam asking the gang questions about local authority resources, grey belt, statutory consultees, the local plans that have run aground, planning committees, snails, and many, many other topics in this jam-packed, bumper edition of the quiz, which features two semi-finals and then a final, at the end of which one pair of contestants emerged victorious. Listen out too towards the end for an appearance from a very special guest…

Listeners that enjoy this episode are kindly asked to consider making a donation to either St John's Hospice, Lancaster or Bowel Cancer UK in memory of the late, great, friend of the podcast, Jonathan Easton.

Some accompanying listening.

Sam’s Christmas Crackers – The Ultimate Festive Soundtrack

Any other business.

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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 very welcome to get in touch with Sam via [email protected].

Sam is grateful to Richborough, Town Legal and Tyler Grange for supporting the podcast; to Vistry for sponsoring the 50 Shades mugs; to Adrian Meehan and Soho Radio Studies for recording this episode: and to Rachael Cooper at ViralTribe for editing it.

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