Best Lowdown Media Group Podcasts (2025)

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Ep151: Council launches legal challenge and blasts planning inspector over local plan failure 23:13

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3d ago23:13

23:13

This week, we discuss: A local authority threatening legal action and blasting a planning inspector after their local plan was found to have failed the legal duty to cooperate. The housing ministry removing three councils from planning performance special measures. The key takeaways for planners from the government’s spending review. Keir Starmer a…

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155B Arcadia Fati (Part 2) 1:30:48

9d ago1:30:48

1:30:48

Annie and Jenn wrap up a conversation about the Season 7 opener, "The Sixth Extinction: Amor Fati," Be sure to check out Part 1 if you missed it!

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Ep150: What the growth of the logistics sector means for planners 21:56

10d ago21:56

21:56

In this Deep Dive edition, we will be examining: The growth of logistics developments – how the planning system is treating these kinds of schemes and the issues they present for planning professionals. Why commercial-to-residential permitted development applications have hit a record high. Key planning news, and why it’s important, brought to you …

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Ep149: Your 22-minute guide to the latest planning blitz on build-out rates, biodiversity net gain and decision-making 25:38

18d ago25:38

25:38

This week, we will be discussing a spate of big planning announcements from the government. We will be focusing on the proposed measures to: Increase developer’s build-out rates for permitted sites. Streamline planning committee decision-making, and toughen up one of the criteria for planning performance ‘special measures’ designation. Support smal…

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Ep148: How Reform councils and mayors will use their planning powers 20:59

22d ago20:59

20:59

In this Deep Dive edition, we will be examining: How councils and mayors that are now controlled by the Reform party will use their planning powers. What a recent Court of Appeal ruling means for the timing of when local authorities have to publish planning gain legal agreements. Key planning news, and why it’s important, brought to you by the team…

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155A Arcadia Fati (Part 1) 1:09:15

23d ago1:09:15

1:09:15

Annie and Jenn continue in our mythology series by wrapping up the Biogenesis arc with "Amor Fati"

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Ep147: Casebook Extra – the month’s key ministerial, inspectors’ and court decisions summarised 25:26

24d ago25:26

25:26

This is the third edition of our new monthly series examining the key appeal and court decisions from the past four weeks. As before, we speak to technical editor David Dewar, who compiles the long-running Casebook section of Planning. This week, we will be discussing: Two notable appeal decisions – one of which considers how the new ‘golden rules’…

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Ep146: The lowdown on two important ‘grey belt’ decisions from the secretary of state and a High Court judge 22:17

1M ago22:17

22:17

This week, we will be discussing: The High Court quashing an inspector’s rejection of 120 green belt homes because he failed to consider whether the scheme met the new ‘golden rules’ for green belt housebuilding. A minister allowing plans for a huge green belt data centre after finding that the proposal meets the new ‘grey belt’ and ‘inappropriate …

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154 Chris Carter on "Triangle" 1:06:57

1M ago1:06:57

1:06:57

Annie and Jenn sit down with Chris Carter to chat about the season 6 masterpiece, "Triangle!"

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Ep145: The six key lessons from planning inspectors on grey belt appeal decisions 31:21

1M ago31:21

31:21

In this Deep Dive edition, we will be examining the six key lessons to be learned from planning inspectors about the dozens of appeal decisions that have been issued so far where the government’s new grey belt national policy is a key factor. We'll also highlight the two secretary of state decisions where the new grey belt policy test has been appl…

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Ep144: How the government is seeking to change the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and a row over a local plan examination 29:40

1M ago29:40

29:40

This week, we will be discussing: The government’s amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Estimates of the bill's economic impact and concerns about its proposed changes to environmental rules. In addition, we will examine: Why a planning inspector has found that a council’s local plan has failed the legal duty to cooperate, and why th…

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153B Roadrunnersday (Part 2) 1:11:07

2M ago1:11:07

1:11:07

Annie and Jenn wrap up our chat about the season 8 Vince Gilligan penned "Roadrunners."

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Ep143: The places where the local elections are most likely to impact planning and development 33:00

2M ago33:00

33:00

In this Deep Dive edition, we will be previewing the local and mayoral elections taking place later this week. We will be discussing: Where they are happening. What the results are expected to show at a national level. What this is likely to mean for planning and development at a local level. We will also highlight the key battlegrounds that are li…

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Ep142: The councils with the most grey belt land in England 22:31

2M ago22:31

22:31

This week, we will be: Revealing the councils with the most grey belt land in England. Discussing the latest developments around how councils are reacting to the new grey belt national policy. In addition, we will examine: How two local authorities have avoided the housing delivery test’s most severe penalty after persuading central government to ‘…

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153A Roadrunnersday (Part 1) 1:08:48

2M ago1:08:48

1:08:48

Annie and Jenn tackle a season 8 MotW for the very first time-- Vince Gilligan's "Roadrunners!"

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Ep141: Casebook Extra – the month’s key ministerial, inspectors’ and court decisions summarised 27:13

2M ago27:13

27:13

This is the second edition of our new monthly series examining the key appeal and court decisions from the past four weeks. As before, we speak to technical editor David Dewar, who compiles the long-running Casebook section of Planning. This week, we will be discussing: Two notable appeal decisions, one of which centres on the flood risk sequential…

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Ep140: Why a Court of Appeal ruling means that planners will need to pay greater attention to national guidance updates 20:09

2M ago20:09

20:09

In this Deep Dive edition, we will be examining: Why a Court of Appeal ruling means that planners will need to pay greater attention to changes to national Planning Practice Guidance. Why councils are refunding householders hit by massive community infrastructure levy bills. Key planning news, and why it’s important, brought to you by the team behi…

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151B Kitten Mala (Part 2) 53:26

3M ago53:26

53:26

It's more Skinman as Annie and Jenn wrap up our conversation about the revival episode, "Kitten"

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Ep139: The planning news from the Spring Statement plus the Planning and Infrastructure Bill's second reading 27:25

3M ago27:25

27:25

This week, we will be examining: The chancellor’s spring statement, in which she announced the independent fiscal watchdog’s forecasted impact of the government's revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) on housing delivery and economic growth. The second reading of the government’s flagship Planning and Infrastructure Bill. A key…

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152 XFD: BONUS ENTRY "Severance" 1:44:49

3M ago1:44:49

1:44:49

Praise Kier! Join Annie and Jenn for a bonus episode as we talk about AppleTV's "Severance," including last weeks' season finale. *SPOILERS AHEAD!*

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Ep138: How a council introduced a four-day working week that improved its planning performance 16:31

3M ago16:31

16:31

In this Deep Dive edition, we’ll be examining how and why a Cambridgeshire council's planning department implemented a four-day working week and the impact on its performance. We’ll also be rounding up the key planning news from the past week to make sure you’re up to speed on all the goings-on in the sector. Key planning news, and why it’s importa…

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Ep137: Casebook Extra - the month’s key ministerial, inspectors’ and court decisions summarised 19:36

3M ago19:36

19:36

This week, we are launching the first of a new monthly series examining the key appeal and court decisions from the past four weeks. Joining me is our technical editor David Dewar who compiles our long-running Casebook section of Planning's weekly bulletin and formerly the magazine, which highlights the key appeal and legal decisions from that week…

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151A Kitten Mala (Part 1) 1:03:50

3M ago1:03:50

1:03:50

Annie and Jenn continue in our revival series with much Skinner discussion as we chat about 11.6, "Kitten!"

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Ep136: Your 25-minute guide to the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill 29:11

3M ago29:11

29:11

This week, we will be examining the government’s publication of its flagship Planning and Infrastructure Bill, focusing on the following measures: Allowing councils to set their own planning application fees up to the level of cost recovery. Changing decision-making by planning committees. Introducing formal strategic planning arrangements. Setting…

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Ep135: Why developers are predicting a surge in planning applications this year and how the system will cope 26:20

3M ago26:20

26:20

In this Deep Dive edition, we’ll be examining: Why many developers are predicting that planning application volumes – particularly for new homes – will rise sharply this year following the Labour government’s wide-ranging changes to the planning system. Whether the planning system will be able to cope in the event of a hike in application numbers. …

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150th Episode Special 1:50:05

4M ago1:50:05

1:50:05

Celebrate 150 episodes with Annie & Jenn! From sexy black turtlenecks to bad tea-dunking prosthetics to Jenn's unexpected obsession with "Nothing Lasts Forever," come join us as we take a trip down the XFD memory lane!

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Ep134: Your 20-minute lowdown on the new planning guidance on green belt and other policy areas 28:27

4M ago28:27

28:27

This week, we will be focusing on new planning guidance that’s been published by the housing ministry. We will be discussing: The long-awaited new guidance on how new national planning policy on green belt should be applied. Other new guidance on development on brownfield land, transitional arrangements for joint local plans, and how planners shoul…

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Ep133: Are statutory consultees really holding up the planning process and how are ministers likely to address the issue? 26:44

4M ago26:44

26:44

In this Deep Dive edition, we’ll be discussing the government’s plans to accelerate the involvement of statutory consultees, such as government agencies, in the planning process. We’ll examine why: There are concerns about the role of such bodies in planning. How justified these concerns are. How the government is likely to respond to the issue. We…

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149B Je Son (Part 2) 1:05:32

4M ago1:05:32

1:05:32

Annie and Jenn wrap up our discussion of the Vince Gilligan written/ directed episode, "Je Souhaite"

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Ep132: Where the 100 new town proposals are coming from, plus other key news from the past week 25:33

4M ago25:33

25:33

This week, we will be focusing on a series of planning announcements made last week by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and housing secretary Angela Rayner. We'll be discussing: Where the proposals for new towns submitted to the government's task force have come from, what requirements they will have to meet, and what happens next. What type of hous…

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Ep131: How compromised is the planning system by developer influence? 26:50

4M ago26:50

26:50

In this Deep Dive edition, we’ll be discussing whether, in the wake of claims about corruption in planning that have been widely rejected by the sector, the planning system is more compromised by developer influence than practitioners think. In particular, we'll be examining: How common are cases of criminal corruption in planning? Why is there a p…

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149A Je Son (Part 1) 1:16:56

4M ago1:16:56

1:16:56

Annie and Jenn tackle another Vince Gilligan penned episode, "Je Souhaite!"

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Ep130: The chancellor's planning announcements aiming to kick-start economic growth 23:53

5M ago23:53

23:53

This week, we will be discussing a series of planning announcements made by chancellor Rachel Reeves in an effort to boost economic growth. We're going to focus on: Her promise of a review of the statutory consultee system to “slash planning system red tape”. Her announcement of changes to the environmental assessment regime. The prime minister's p…

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Ep129: The NPPF's ‘golden rules’ for developer contributions on green belt, plus the return of strategic planning 32:35

5M ago32:35

32:35

In this Deep Dive edition, we’ll be discussing: The new National Planning Policy Framework’s (NPPF) introduction of ‘golden rules’ that apply to developer contributions for development on green belt land, and how the government has softened the rules in the final version compared to the draft. The devolution white paper’s proposals for groups of co…

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148B Darin Morgan Interview (Part 2) 1:12:52

5M ago1:12:52

1:12:52

Annie and Jenn conclude their interview with Darin Morgan... we talk of dogs, Jesse Ventura, Trump and much more!

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Ep128: What the housing secretary revealed about the government’s planning intentions when she was grilled by MPs 21:22

5M ago21:22

21:22

In this episode, we discuss: What the secretary of state for housing, Angela Rayner, said about planning when she appeared before MPs on the housing, communities and local government select committee. A developer winning an appeal against the demolition of its 200-home tower block scheme following a high-profile enforcement case launched by the loc…

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Ep127: The biggest, fastest-growing and highest-earning planning consultancies and the most desirable job skills 22:34

5M ago22:34

22:34

In this Deep Dive edition, we’ll be discussing our latest annual Planning Consultancy Market Report, which takes an in-depth and exclusive look at the planning consultancy market. We'll be examining: The firms with the biggest and fastest-growing planning consultancy teams. The companies with the highest planning fee income and fee rates. And consu…

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148A Darin Morgan Interview (Part 1) 1:46:03

5M ago1:46:03

1:46:03

Happy New Year, Philes! Annie and Jenn got to sit down with X-Files writer Darin Morgan for a supersized (two part) interview. You won't want to miss this one!

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Ep126: What the devolution white paper means for planning, plus the latest housing test delivery results 21:33

5M ago21:33

21:33

In this episode, we discuss: The publication of the government’s long-awaited devolution white paper, and the far-reaching planning changes proposed in it. A planning inspector cancelling a council’s local plan examination hearings after just one session due to “significant” soundness and legal concerns. The latest housing delivery test results – w…

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XFD Encore: How the Ghosts Stole Christmas 1:20:07

6M ago1:20:07

1:20:07

Annie and Jenn are taking a short break for the holidays... we will be back in 2025 with brand new episodes! Happy Holidays!

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Ep125: Your 30-minute guide to the new National Planning Policy Framework 37:01

6M ago37:01

37:01

In this episode, we discuss the publication of the final version of the new Labour government’s revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). In particular, we're going to focus on the changes to national policy on local housing need, housing land supply, and green belt, and the transitional arrangements for local plan-making. We'll also be ro…

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147B Two Sixth Extinctions (Part 2) 1:11:10

6M ago1:11:10

1:11:10

Annie & Jenn wrap up their discussion of "The Sixth Extinction, part 1."

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Ep124: How Angela Rayner wants to shake up planning committee decision-making 25:01

6M ago25:01

25:01

In this episode, we discuss: The housing secretary this week announcing radical changes to planning committee decision-making; The prime minister making the government’s national housing target and a promise to speed up major infrastructure consents one of its six parliamentary milestones in its Plan for Change; The government cutting its local aut…

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Ep123: What the government's push for more council mergers means for planning teams 23:19

7M ago23:19

23:19

In this Deep Dive edition, we’ll be discussing a Planning report on the impact of growing local authority mergers on planning teams and asking why they are happening and what the benefits and challenges are. Key planning news, and why it’s important, brought to you by the team behind Planning magazine, the leading source of independent intelligence…

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147A Two 6th Extinctions 1:02:20

7M ago1:02:20

1:02:20

Continuing our Mythology Series, Annie and Jenn unpack the Season 7 opener "The Sixth Extinction." Part 1 of 2.

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Ep122: What the planning minister revealed in his select committee appearance 29:15

7M ago29:15

29:15

In this episode, we discuss: Why the Office for Place was axed, and what it means for design quality; What the planning minister revealed when he appeared before the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee; Councils that are taking successful action against developers to uphold planning gain contributions. Key planning news, and why it’…

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Ep121: England's 30 busiest local planning authorities – their resource and activity levels 20:48

7M ago20:48

20:48

In this Deep Dive edition, we’ll be discussing a Planning report into England’s 30 busiest local planning authorities, including: which councils are listed in the study; their application workload and fee income; their staffing levels; their appeal success rate; and their enforcement activity. Key planning news, and why it’s important, brought to y…

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146 Tith-llovny 1:17:22

7M ago1:17:22

1:17:22

David and Gillian had a little chat. So Annie and Jenn had to have a little chat about their little chat. We break down their concersation on David's "Fail Better" podcast.

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Ep120: The fall-out from the housing secretary's last-minute calling in of plans for an 8,400-home garden village 17:23

7M ago17:23

17:23

In this issue, we will be discussing the following stories and asking whether they show a toughening of the government’s line against local authorities that it believes to be resisting development: Housing secretary Angela Rayner calling in plans for an 8,400-home garden village in Kent just three hours before the council was due to consider it; An…

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Ep119: The challenges facing biodiversity net gain six months in and the planning highlights from the budget 32:57

8M ago32:57

32:57

In this Deep Dive edition, we’ll be discussing a Planning investigation into how the new biodiversity net gain policy is bedding in six months after it was introduced, and highlighting a series of findings from our exclusive reader survey. We’ll also be rounding up the key planning news from last week’s budget. Key planning news, and why it’s impor…