# The West Midlands Problem (plus Grey Belt and some other stuff)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/50-shades-of-planning-1168819/the-west-midlands-problem-plus-grey-belt-and-some-other-stuff
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/50-shades-of-planning-1168819/the-west-midlands-problem-plus-grey-belt-and-some-other-stuff.md
Podcast: [50 Shades of Planning](https://stenobird.com/podcast/50-shades-of-planning-1168819)
Published: 2026-05-02T09:00:44+00:00
Episode link: https://pod.co/50-shades-of-planning/the-west-midlands-problem-plus-grey-belt-and-some-other-stuff
Audio file: https://downloads.pod.co/b6f9f0f9-d7fe-4a5a-836c-563849ec1a3e/d5c49172-6be4-4f76-8fa1-ba82bf1f9ebe.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/50-shades-of-planning-1168819/episodes/the-west-midlands-problem-plus-grey-belt-and-some-other-stuff
Duration seconds: 3392

## Resource

Sam Stafford was in Birmingham recently and took the opportunity to catch up with friends of the podcast Mike Best , Kathryn Ventham and Michelle Simpson-Gallego at PodHaus studios in Digbeth. They talked about why the recent consultation on areas for producing Spatial Development Strategies seemed to generate more interest in the West Midlands than other parts of the country (an issue for which this episode has named); they talked about the politics of Grey Belt; they talked about some live development management issues, including LPAs basing decisions on unpublished evidence; and they touched on PINS’ recent performance. Some accompanying reading. Areas for producing spatial development strategies Will the real West Midlands please stand up? Elections 2026 How Long Are Local Plan Examinations Taking? Planning After Dark LIVE at UKREiiF with Cratus Group Toxic Communications and Relational Planning SM sites for SME builders Some accompanying viewing. What the local election results mean for housebuilding Some accompanying listening. City Minutes: The Croydon planning experiment The Nightingales - Gales Doc Any other business. 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 samstafford@hotmail.com). Feedback on 50 Shades episodes is always welcome. 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. If you are a new listener do please check out the back catalogue wher…

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## Transcript

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