How women are changing the planning sector

How did you find yourself working in planning? Is it something you always knew you wanted to do?

“No, I didn’t even know I wanted to work in law, let alone planning! I fell into an A-level class, got very enthused by law and studied the subject at university before going on to qualify as a lawyer. 

“Then, when I joined Wright Hassall, I ended up working for the firm’s sole planning lawyer at the time. I was doing secretarial work and then paralegal work because my manager could see that I was enthusiastic about planning. He encouraged me to run with it, which is why this is the area of the law that I felt most drawn to after completing my training contract. 

“And I’ve never looked back. What fascinates me about this sector is that it’s ever-changing. It’s always in a state of transformation, and it’s also highly topical, which keeps me on my toes. 

“The work is so varied and interesting, ranging from litigious to non-litigious; from planning disputes between neighbours to legal agreements on a scheme for hundreds of houses; from appealing developments refused planning permission, to CPO work dealing with landowners affected by HS2. No two days, no two transactions, are the same. I just love it.”

What is it like being a woman in what can often be seen as a male-dominated sector?

“It definitely used to be male-dominated, something which I found a little intimidating when I first started out. It was routinely the case that I would walk into a meeting, look around the room and realise that I was the only woman present – which, as a junior lawyer, was a bit terrifying.

“However, I do think things are now changing, not least because women are pushing for it, as I know first-hand from my work on the Women in Planning Committee for the West Midlands. In our efforts to make the industry more gender-diverse, we aren’t just talking to women but also reaching out to men to get them on board as well, which is really helping and bringing about many positive changes.”

Tell us more about Women in Planning – what are its aims? 

“It’s a national organisation that has branched out across the country. As the name suggests, its aim is to create opportunities for women who work in planning to be at the forefront of industry developments and play a key role in the important ongoing dialogue over what the future of planning should look like. 

“The organisation also seeks to inspire women to join this industry. And although we try to ensure that all the speakers at our events are women, we don’t exclude men from attending because we want them to be part of the conversation.”

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in planning?

“My advice is to go for it. Things are changing, so don’t be intimidated by it being a male-dominated industry. There are already many fantastic women working in planning, some of whom have been featured in Wright Hassall’s Housebuilders Campaign, and they are all here, ready and willing to support you. So just go out there and give it a go – it’s challenging but also incredibly rewarding and exciting, and you will never get bored.”

See our full report to read more about Rebecca’s work on HS2 and to see her take on what needs to change within the planning system.

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