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

Making sense of the roadmap: will MHCLG’s latest attempts to kickstart Section 106 affordable housing deliver?

Greater Affordable Housing Flex Announced For Some Stalled Schemes; Other Announcements On Affordable Housing & On S106

A new vision for water: white paper

RTPI West Midlands Young Planners

Public Practice is recruiting multiple new roles for its Board, including a new Chair and two Non-Executive Directors

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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