One of those relationships stretches back many years – Stonehouse Recruitment Group.

“I’m a big promoter of Stonehouse,” Rebecca says. “I’ve known Sohan since he was a wee boy. I’ve known him since he was in Red Crocs – quote me on that. I watched him grow.”

Her connection to the company reflects something she believes is often overlooked in recruitment: genuine understanding of the profession.

“I know Stonehouse has a very different ethos to a lot of recruiters out there,” she explains.

For Rebecca, the difference lies in technical knowledge and long-term relationships.

“Jake and Lily have always had that technical knowledge because they’ve always specialised in this area.”

That understanding has helped her navigate a career defined by complexity, responsibility and constant change.

A Career Built on Responsibility and Strategic Thinking

When Rebecca began her career more than 20 years ago, the planning system looked very different.

Regional housing targets were set at higher levels, planning frameworks were less streamlined, and many of the environmental considerations shaping today’s planning debates, such as recreational mitigation, did not yet exist.

Over time she has witnessed the planning system evolve through major reforms, including the introduction of the Local Development Framework in 2004 and the arrival of the National Planning Policy Framework in 2012.

But for Rebecca, the biggest shift has been in perspective.

“Once you really understand town planning,” she explains, “you appreciate that it goes beyond  land use. It’s a spatial approach to shaping how people live – where they live, how they travel, how communities function.”

That understanding has driven her progression into strategic roles where leadership, coordination and risk management are just as important as technical policy knowledge.

The High-Stakes World of Local Plan Examinations

One of Rebecca’s defining specialisms is helping local authorities navigate the most intense stage of plan-making: Regulation 19, submission and examination.

By the time a plan reaches submission, years of work have already been invested in evidence gathering, consultation and policy development. Once submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, the process moves beyond the local authority’s control and faces rigorous scrutiny.

For many planning teams, the examination stage can be both daunting and exhausting.

Inspectors issue detailed Matters, Issues and Questions (MIQs), requiring councils to demonstrate that every policy is justified, sound and compliant with national planning policy.

This is where Rebecca often steps in.

Her role is not simply technical. It is strategic, organisational and often diplomatic – helping councils interpret inspector expectations, coordinate responses and present a clear narrative behind the plan.

Her work frequently involves:

• Coordinating hundreds, sometimes thousands, of technical responses to inspector questions
• Managing risk and ensuring submission packages are robust
• Preparing planning officers for examination hearings
• Advising senior leadership teams and elected members
• Acting as the central communication point between councils, programme officers and inspectors

Local plan examinations can last weeks, months or even in some cases; years.

“They’re intense,” Rebecca says. “You’re managing huge volumes of information, preparing officers for hearings and making sure the plan stands up to scrutiny.”

But when a plan is adopted, the reward is significant.

“You know you’ve helped shape how a place will grow for future generations to come.”

Navigating Complexity Across Authorities

Throughout her consultancy career, Rebecca has worked with a wide range of local planning authorities, each facing unique political, geographic and planning challenges.

From coastal flood risk in Lincolnshire to housing pressures in London, no two local plans are the same.

Her approach begins with identifying risks early.

When joining a new authority, Rebecca focuses on understanding the issues that could derail progress – whether that’s evidence gaps, soundness  risks or issues with legal compliance.

By mapping those risks early and developing mitigation strategies, she helps authorities maintain momentum through what can be a long and demanding process.

“It’s about understanding that every authority works differently,” she explains. “You listen first, learn how they operate, and then bring experience from elsewhere to strengthen not just the plan, but the plan-making process.”

The Value of Experience

Across the UK, planning departments face a common challenge: limited resources.

Local plan teams must balance technical evidence, consultation, political oversight and policy drafting – all while meeting government expectations around housing delivery and timely plan adoption.

Rebecca believes that bringing in experienced consultants at the right moment, with the right skills, can make a crucial difference.

“Sometimes it’s not about having more people,” she says. “It’s about having the right expertise at the right stage.”

Professionals who have already navigated multiple examinations can help authorities anticipate inspector concerns, streamline processes and keep complex programmes moving forward.

It’s experience that cannot easily be replaced – and Rebecca’s track record means many of her projects arise through reputation and recommendation.

A Planning System That Never Stands Still

After more than twenty years in the profession, Rebecca remains deeply engaged with the evolution of planning policy.

The system continues to evolve, most recently through updates to the National Planning Policy Framework, alongside a renewed emphasis on strategic planning and the proposed introduction of Spatial Development Strategies (SDSs), all aimed at accelerating plan-making and improving the coordination of development across wider geographic areas.

While challenges remain, particularly around funding and staffing for planning departments, Rebecca sees momentum building.

“The planning system has to evolve,” she says. “It needs to be more responsive – learning quickly from what works what doesn’t, and adapting to meet the scale and complexity of today’s challenges.”

The push to deliver more homes, better infrastructure and sustainable communities is driving new approaches to strategic planning and collaboration between authorities.

For planners, that means constant learning and adaptation.

Why Planning Still Matters

Despite the pressures of the job, Rebecca believes planning remains one of the most rewarding careers available.

Planning policy shapes communities for generations. Decisions made today influence how towns grow, how infrastructure develops and how people experience the places they live and visit.

For those considering entering the profession, her advice is simple.

“Do it. Planning is one of the few careers where you can genuinely shape how people live their lives.”

From housing and transport to climate resilience and biodiversity, planners sit at the centre of decisions balancing social, economic and environmental priorities.

“It’s chaotic at times,” she laughs, “but it’s also incredibly rewarding.”

Looking Ahead

After an intense period guiding a particularly complex local plan through examination, and supporting other Local Plans through the same process, Rebecca is now turning her attention to a brand new Local Plan in the Midlands. While details remain under wraps, it marks the start of an exciting new chapter, with plenty more to come.

With these major reforms on the horizon and increasing demand for experienced policy leadership, there is little doubt her expertise will continue to be sought after.

And as her long-standing relationships across the profession show, planning is as much about people as it is about policy.

For local authorities navigating the complexities of modern plan-making, professionals like Rebecca Raine bring something invaluable: experience, perspective, and the ability to turn policy into places that truly work for people.

Advanced Planning Ltd: https://advancedplanning.org.uk/

To connect with Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-raine-770b85121/

For more Stonehouse: https://linktr.ee/STONEHOUSERG