Happy New Year and welcome to 2026.

In this opening episode of the year, join Catriona, Alex and Jackie for a frank, funny and thoughtful stocktake of 2025 - a year of big promises, heavy lifting and hard-earned foundations - and a look ahead to what 2026 could mean for planning, housing and place leadership.

The conversation begins with a temperature check on 2025: landmark funding announcements, planning reform, the return of strategic planning after years in the wilderness, and renewed attention on housing delivery. The trio reflect on whether last year felt transformative or frustratingly flat, debating political will, the challenge of maintaining focus in a volatile world, and whether government spent much of the year rebuilding what had been stripped away rather than visibly moving forward.

Alex shares reflections from her first days in her new role as Chief Executive of the Housing Forum, talking candidly about what she’s seeing on the ground: the loss of public-sector housing expertise, the slow thawing of development activity, and early signs that confidence may finally be returning among registered providers and investors. From payroll realities to big-picture reform, her experience offers a timely lens on what delivery really looks like as the sector enters 2026.

From there, the discussion turns to what “delivery, delivery, delivery” actually means in practice. How do we move from legislation, consultation and reform to homes being built, infrastructure delivered and lives improved? The episode explores the tension between evidence-based policy and the need for bold thinking in a fast-changing, social-media-driven environment and why sometimes evidence should expose options rather than dictate outcomes.

Looking ahead, the hosts dig into some of the most significant themes shaping 2026: local government reorganisation and capacity, the evolving role of combined authorities, public land and regeneration, and the importance of leadership at every scale. Jackie talks openly about her journey from sceptic to participant in the ambitious Forest City proposal - a radical attempt to rethink scale, disruption and delivery in response to a broken housing system. Katrina makes the case for strategic planning as a long-term, outcome-driven tool for reimagining places and improving lives, rather than simply managing growth.

Along the way, there are reflections on inward investment, regional growth, institutional capital, regeneration at scale (from the Olympic Park to Bristol Temple Quarter), and the need for optimism, bravery and collaboration in a sector that has taken a battering.

Optimistic without being naïve, challenging without being cynical, this episode sets the tone for Planning After Dark in 2026: encouraging the sector to be bolder, think differently, celebrate progress where it exists, and, occasionally, to take a chance.

Get in touch! Message us at ask@planningafterdark.co.uk

Planning After Darkis the bold and insightful podcast where three powerhouse women in planning and development - Alex Notay, Catriona Riddell, and Jackie Sadek - shine a light on the industry’s biggest challenges, trends, and, yes, even a bit of behind-the-scenes gossip.

From navigating the complexities of development to debating the future of our cities, Planning After Dark is the no-holds-barred discussion you won’t want to miss.

Powered by Cratus Group, new episodes drop monthly on all major streaming platforms.

Welcome to our first ever festive edition of Planning After Dark - and we’ve gone full Christmas chaos. Santa Catriona arrives in a jingling hat and squeaky leather trousers, Jackie brings the political fire, Alex attempts to keep order, and for the first time ever, we welcome three extremely brave expert gents into the PAD Pod mayhem.

Joining us for mince pies, gossip and serious policy chat are:

• Jonathan Bower, Partner and Head of Planning at Womble Bond Dickinson,
• Paul Clark, co-founder of Stories Partners and newly crowned PAD Pod superfan, and
• Michael Keaveney, Director of Land & Development at Grainger and LinkedIn’s unofficial housing truth-teller.

In this bumper Christmas special, we unwrap everything from the real subsidy required to build social rent homes, through to local plan fight clubs, the rise of celebrity planning lawyers, temporary accommodation pressures, and the surprising connection between Womble Bond Dickinson and Granger (yes, really).

There’s Number 10 gossip, investment-sector honesty, a deep dive on viability, a passionate defence of planners, and, naturally, a brief strip-tease reveal of un-official Planning After Dark merch.

And, in true PAD Pod style, Alex hands out bottles of “champagne-ish” fizz complete with custom Château PAD Pod labels.

Chaotic, candid and Christmassy: it’s the perfect end to 2025.

As mentioned in the episode, to find out more about Making Social Rent Homes Viable, head to homesforpeopleweneed.co.uk.

Get in touch! Message us at ask@planningafterdark.co.uk

Planning After Darkis the bold and insightful podcast where three powerhouse women in planning and development - Alex Notay, Catriona Riddell, and Jackie Sadek - shine a light on the industry’s biggest challenges, trends, and, yes, even a bit of behind-the-scenes gossip.

From navigating the complexities of development to debating the future of our cities, Planning After Dark is the no-holds-barred discussion you won’t want to miss.

Powered by Cratus Group, new episodes drop monthly on all major streaming platforms.

In this whirlwind episode of Planning After Dark, the PAD Pod Girls return with stories from across the planning universe, from South African sustainability summits to strategic planning in Glasgow, and even a Surrey conference where teenagers declare the county “for old people.”

Alex brings sunshine, steak and an 8:30am hangover from her trip to South Africa, Cartriona reflects on the joys (and accents) of planning back in Scotland, and Jackie battles through rail summits, parliamentary receptions and a national mood flatter than a stalled housing market.

Together they take on the big beasts:

• Decarbonising ageing homes and the new Homes Without Harm report
• The eternal agony of land value capture (“45 years of pain!”)
• Local government reform and the fear of doom loops
• Planning reform ping-pong between Commons and Lords
• Devolution power plays, Burnham’s billion-pound boldness & tourism taxes
• The Hokey Cokey Budget and a sector desperate for something - anything - to lift

There’s praise for unsung heroes (hello, Matt Pennycook), a shout-out to the Nicky Gavron Memorial Award, and a teaser for the Christmas special featuring an all-male lineup brave enough to face the PAD Pod Girls.

It’s half therapy session, half planning masterclass, with a lot of laughs and plenty of straight-talking commentary - just what thousands of loyal listeners keep coming back for. Onwards and upwards!

Get in touch! Message us at ask@planningafterdark.co.uk

Planning After Darkis the bold and insightful podcast where three powerhouse women in planning and development - Alex Notay, Catriona Riddell, and Jackie Sadek - shine a light on the industry’s biggest challenges, trends, and, yes, even a bit of behind-the-scenes gossip.

From navigating the complexities of development to debating the future of our cities, Planning After Dark is the no-holds-barred discussion you won’t want to miss.

Powered by Cratus Group, new episodes drop monthly on all major streaming platforms.

In the second of a two-part special of Planning After Dark, Catriona, Jackie, and Alex have plenty to catch up on - and a big announcement to celebrate. Alex shares her exciting news about becoming the next Chief Executive of the Housing Forum, and the trio dive into what that means for the sector at a time of huge change.

From Munich to Guildhall, the team unpacks what they learned at Expo Real and London Real Estate Forum - where global investment, housing delivery, and building safety dominated the agenda. They discuss the latest from Parliament and the Party Conferences, including Labour’s “Build Baby Build” slogan, the New Towns Commission, and what’s next for planning reform and devolution.

And, as always, it’s not all policy and politics - they explore why “fun” should be a leadership strategy, why housing delivery needs fresh thinking, and what makes this sector worth getting out of bed for (even after a late night).

Get in touch! Message us at ask@planningafterdark.co.uk

Planning After Darkis the bold and insightful podcast where three powerhouse women in planning and development - Alex Notay, Catriona Riddell, and Jackie Sadek - shine a light on the industry’s biggest challenges, trends, and, yes, even a bit of behind-the-scenes gossip.

From navigating the complexities of development to debating the future of our cities, Planning After Dark is the no-holds-barred discussion you won’t want to miss.

Powered by Cratus Group, new episodes drop monthly on all major streaming platforms.

In this first-part-of-two episode, the trio unpack the Deputy Prime Minister’s dramatic resignation and Steve Reed’s arrival at MHCLG, complete with early tie reviews and cautious optimism for continuity.

They dissect the ripple effects of the reshuffle - from local government reform and devolution to the new faces shaking up the planning world - and take a detour through fashion faux pas, Nick Walkley’s surprise exit, and the mystery of the five-banded weevil wasp.

There’s serious talk too: from the RADS Housing Commission’s decarbonisation push, to the progress (and pitfalls) of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the future of new towns, and why the “Golden Triangle” might just be turning into a golden blob.

Pour yourself something strong - it’s Planning After Dark.

Get in touch! Message us at ask@planningafterdark.co.uk

Planning After Darkis the bold and insightful podcast where three powerhouse women in planning and development - Alex Notay, Catriona Riddell, and Jackie Sadek - shine a light on the industry’s biggest challenges, trends, and, yes, even a bit of behind-the-scenes gossip.

From navigating the complexities of development to debating the future of our cities, Planning After Dark is the no-holds-barred discussion you won’t want to miss.

Powered by Cratus Group, new episodes drop monthly on all major streaming platforms.

We’re back from summer and straight into the deep end - breach births, dry robes, and the chaos of English devolution.

Alex, Catriona and Jackie take on the new Devo Bill, the surprise appointment at Homes England, and whether London’s housing woes mean the GLA has had its day. Cambridge gets a grilling for its ever-expanding layers of governance, and we cast a sceptical eye over the latest “build everything now” campaigners.

Plus: the New Towns Taskforce, fashion watch (yes, really), and a few confessions of podcast promiscuity.

It’s classic PAD; policy, politics and plenty of giggles, with a few sharp elbows thrown in.

Get in touch! Message us at ask@planningafterdark.co.uk

Planning After Darkis the bold and insightful podcast where three powerhouse women in planning and development - Alex Notay, Catriona Riddell, and Jackie Sadek - shine a light on the industry’s biggest challenges, trends, and, yes, even a bit of behind-the-scenes gossip.

From navigating the complexities of development to debating the future of our cities, Planning After Dark is the no-holds-barred discussion you won’t want to miss.

Powered by Cratus Group, new episodes drop monthly on all major streaming platforms.

After a brief break, the Planning After Dark gals are back and they’ve got a bumper episode to unpack. Katrina, Jackie, and Alex dive into everything from the optimism at UKREiiF and housing conferences, to the heat of their live podcast (literally), planning law spats, and why spatial development strategies seriously need a rebrand.

With reflections on Labour’s first year in office, planning reforms, social housing funding, and the return of strategic planning, it’s an episode bursting with insight, gossip, and gin-fuelled camaraderie. Plus, shout-outs to movers and shakers across the sector, and a very glamorous Planning Lawyers v. Planners moment.

All that, and a call for who you want them to interview next…

To message the PAD girls with your suggestions or any comments (they would love to hear from you), please email podcasts@cratus.co.uk.

Get in touch! Message us at ask@planningafterdark.co.uk

Planning After Darkis the bold and insightful podcast where three powerhouse women in planning and development - Alex Notay, Catriona Riddell, and Jackie Sadek - shine a light on the industry’s biggest challenges, trends, and, yes, even a bit of behind-the-scenes gossip.

From navigating the complexities of development to debating the future of our cities, Planning After Dark is the no-holds-barred discussion you won’t want to miss.

Powered by Cratus Group, new episodes drop monthly on all major streaming platforms.

In this lively and thought-provoking episode, the PAD Pod trio - Jackie Sadek, Catriona Riddell, and Alex Notay - take listeners on a whirlwind tour of the latest developments in planning, regeneration, and local government.

Fresh from conferences and committee rooms, the hosts unpack the current state of play across the sector. From select committee evidence on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to the evolving landscape of local government reform, no stone is left unturned. The team delves into the power of strategic planning, with reflections from the Building New Communities Conference and an eye on the accelerating pace of devolution.

There’s also a nostalgic yet serious rallying cry for the return of the legendary Planning Summer School - complete with shoutouts to past heroes and current efforts to revive the spirit of sector-wide training and camaraderie.

Looking ahead, the hosts gear up for UKREiiF in Leeds, sharing their plans, panels, and perspectives, including the anticipated launch of the Strategic Planning Group’s report and the much-hyped “MegaPod” crossover with Our World is Local.

Whether you’re a policymaker, planner, developer, or just planning-curious, this episode is packed with insight, energy, and a touch of irreverence. Tune in for sharp commentary, big ideas, and plenty of laughs.

You can find more about the MegaPod and UKREiiF activities here.

Get in touch! Message us at ask@planningafterdark.co.uk

Planning After Darkis the bold and insightful podcast where three powerhouse women in planning and development - Alex Notay, Catriona Riddell, and Jackie Sadek - shine a light on the industry’s biggest challenges, trends, and, yes, even a bit of behind-the-scenes gossip.

From navigating the complexities of development to debating the future of our cities, Planning After Dark is the no-holds-barred discussion you won’t want to miss.

Powered by Cratus Group, new episodes drop monthly on all major streaming platforms.