Podcast episode 175: Meet the MPs

Podcast episode 175: Meet the MPs - Lib Dems

Episode 175 of the podcast is available now via this link below or from the usual podcast platforms.

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 I 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.

Comments

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