A CONSULTANCY’S director of planning believes the “devil is in the detail” when it comes to the impact of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 and its new Significant Infrastructure Projects (SIPs) regime.

Steve Ottewell, who joined Caulmert late last year, says that while the ambition behind the reforms is clear, practical challenges could shape how successful the new process proves.

Replacing Developments of National Significance and other consenting routes, the streamlined system is designed to speed up planning decisions and make Wales more attractive to investors.

SIPs will cover major schemes in energy, transport, water, and waste, requiring a single infrastructure consent that consolidates multiple authorisations for large-scale developments on land and offshore.

Projects must meet defined thresholds to qualify – for example, 35-50MW for solar and wind schemes, or 10-million cubic metres capacity for new or altered dams/reservoirs.

The intention is to create a modernised one-stop shop, similar to the Development Consent Order (DCO) process introduced in England under the Planning Act 2008.

However, Steve remains cautious, saying: “Advisors and clients alike must tread carefully. There is nothing wrong with the ambition of the new regime, but it does raise some questions and concerns.

“It is only when fresh methods are operational do we know the impact they will have. Does the bottleneck that is currently in one area of the procedure now just move to another step, for example.”

Welsh ministers will also have discretion to bring projects that fall below the thresholds into the SIP regime.

Steve continued: “On paper, this flexibility is welcome because it enables schemes that are strategically important, but not technically captured by the definitions, to benefit from the streamlined process.

“There is, however, ambiguity around the criteria ministers will apply when exercising this. Is it purely a matter or scale, or will policy alignment and political priorities weigh more heavily?

“This lack of clarity means developers face uncertainty at the very first step regarding whether to prepare for a SIP application or proceed through local planning.

“Misjudging this route could waste months of preparation and expose projects to challenge.”

Applications will be submitted to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), which will examine cases on behalf of Welsh ministers. Inspectors will review evidence from all stakeholders, with ministers making the final decision in most instances.

Steve said: “If a significant volume of projects are classed as SIPs, either because thresholds are broad or because ministers exercise their discretion liberally, the burden will fall squarely on these bodies.

“PEDW already manages a heavy caseload of appeals and inquiries, and the SIP regime adds a layer of complexity and intensity.

“Examinations under the act will demand specialist expertise, rigorous environmental assessment, and careful handling of compulsory acquisition powers.”

Despite the challenges, Steve views the act as a bold step towards modernising infrastructure planning in Wales.

Key to this is making the right choice at the outset regarding whether to pursue the SIPs route, seek optional designation, or remaining within local planning.

He explained: “Advisors can provide clarity here, mapping project characteristics against statutory thresholds and ministerial guidance, and framing proposals to resonate with Wales’ sustainability agenda.

“Working together, clients and advisors can ensure that the country’s new regime delivers not just on efficiency, but on its promise of sustainable growth and investment confidence.

“The team at Caulmert can help with any questions or queries you might have.”

Founded in 2008, Caulmert is on track to meet an ambitious growth and development plan.

Its expertise in a variety of engineering, environmental, planning, and project management disciplines is supported by its use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to ISO 19650 standard on many of its projects.

For more information visit www.caulmert.com

A NEW employment support programme aimed at helping disabled people and those with health conditions find work is being rolled out across Wales.

The UK Government has confirmed that Mid Wales, North Wales and South West Wales will receive funding under the Connect to Work scheme, part of its wider Pathways to Work initiative designed to help people with complex barriers secure employment.

The announcement forms part of a £300 million expansion of the programme across England and Wales, which ministers say will provide tailored employment support to more than 75,000 people.

Under the plans, Mid Wales will receive up to £3.9 million to help around 1,000 people find work. North Wales will receive up to £13.3 million to support around 3,550 people, while South West Wales will receive up to £14.4 million to help approximately 3,850 residents.

The funding takes the total investment in the programme to more than £950 million. Funding for South East Wales is expected to be confirmed at a later date.

Connect to Work provides one-to-one employment support delivered in local community settings such as cafés, parks or community hubs. Participants are matched with employment advisers who help identify suitable roles, support job applications and work with employers to ensure appropriate workplace adjustments are made.

The UK Government says the programme aims to address economic inactivity linked to health conditions, with around 2.8 million people across the country currently out of work due to long-term illness.

Employment Minister Dame Diana Johnson said the initiative would give people who have been “written off and left behind” the support they need to move into secure work.

She said: “This government believes in the potential of every person in every part of the UK. Connect to Work gives people tailored support to move into good jobs and out of poverty.”

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said the scheme could improve financial stability and quality of life for many people.

She said: “Providing targeted help for people to get into work means a more financially stable future and a better quality of life for many.

“The tailored support offered by Connect to Work services in Wales will ensure anyone who can work is supported to get the right job for them.”

The programme is being delivered locally through councils and partner organisations. A spokesperson for the Welsh Local Government Association said councils are well placed to provide specialist employment support and link the scheme with other local services, including education, health and housing.

Connect to Work forms part of the UK Government’s wider £3.5 billion “Get Britain Working” package, which includes reforms to Jobcentres, new youth employment guarantees and expanded health-and-work programmes.

People who are out of work due to disability, health conditions or other complex barriers can access the scheme through self-referral or referrals from healthcare professionals, local authorities or voluntary organisations.

Thousands of people with disabilities and health conditions across South West Wales are set to receive personalised support to secure employment, thanks to a major expansion of specialist employment support.

New funding worth up to £14.4 million is being delivered to South West Wales as part of the Connect to Work programme, which helps break down barriers to opportunity. This comes as part of the Government’s £3.5 billion Get Britain Working package — the biggest investment in employment support for a generation — unlocking work and boosting living standards as part of the Plan for Change.

The announcement was made on Thursday, March 5, by the Department for Work and Pensions.

South West Wales will now receive up to £14.4 million to support up to 3,850 disabled people, people with health conditions and those with complex barriers to work with tailored employment support to find good, secure employment. This forms part of a total programme investment of over £950 million across England and Wales.

 The Minister for Employment, The Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson said: “The government believes in the potential of every person in every part of the UK. That’s why I’m delighted to confirm funding for South West Wales. 

“For too long, too many people have been written off and left behind. But Connect to Work changes that by giving people real, tailored support to move into good jobs and out of poverty. That’s what spreading opportunity means in practice.” 

The programme’s support is designed to fit around the individual where participants can meet their employment adviser wherever they feel most comfortable.  It also provides intensive, personalised help including individual coaching from employment specialists, job matching services, and ongoing support for both participants and employers.

The Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, said: “Providing targeted help for people to get into work means a more financially stable future and a better quality of life for many. 

“The tailored support offered by Connect to Work services in Wales will ensure anyone who can work is supported to get the right job for them, helping them achieve their goals.”