Show Notes
The role of local councillors in the planning system has been a familiar topic of conversation on the podcast in the context of, for example, overturning officer recommendations and the case for a national scheme of delegation. There is less talk about the role of MPs in the planning system, which is something that friend of the podcast Andrew Taylor wanted to remedy. This then is the second of what he and Sam Stafford hope will be five episodes exploring the role of a member of a parliament by way of conversations that Andrew records with representatives from the now five major parties. This time, the Liberal Democrats, and a conversation recorded with Vikki Slade and Sarah Gibson at Soho Radio Studios in April 2026.
Andrew, regular listeners will know, is Group Planning and Sustainability Director at Vistry. Vikki represents Mid Dorset and North Poole and is a former group leader on Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Indeed Vikki still represents the Broadstone ward. Some listeners might have come across Vikki during her three years at Cratus. Sarah represents Chippenham and has a background in local government and architecture.
Over the course of hour an hour so they talk about Vikki and Sarah's respective routes to Westminster, the rural economy, forging strategic links on issues of pan-constituency significance, the role of a MP in day-to-day planning matters, planning committee reform and, towards the end, Biodiversity Net Gain.
Some accompanying reading.
Removing the grit from the system - Changes needed for a more efficient planning application process
Some accompanying viewing.
What does team Burnham mean for housebuilding?
Some accompanying listening
The Snagging List
The Snagging List II
Politics – Personal Trainer
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 Adrian Meehan for recording and editing this episode.
More from 50 Shades of Planning
When 50 Shades of Planning first covered nutrient neutrality in February 2021, Sam Stafford described the process of eutrophication as a bit like the podcast itself: a little niche, but very important.
The previous Government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 introduced the legislative framework for a new system of local plan-making and in March 2026 the current Government introduced the regulations concerning this new regime.
Whilst in London recently Sam Stafford took the opportunity to catch up with old friends of the podcast Simon Ricketts, Andrew Taylor and Mike Kiely.
As regular listeners know there is often talk on the 50 Shades of Planning podcast about the role of local councillors in the planning system, in the context of, for example, overturning officer recommendations or a decision to withdraw a local plan.
Sam Stafford was in Manchester recently and took the opportunity to catch up with old friends of the podcast Lisa Tye, Shaun Knights and Jaimie Ferguson.