Planning for Water

Infrastructure projects often languish in complex, sequential consenting processes that stall housing and economic development. Planners and utility providers face an uphill battle to align long-term strategic needs with immediate construction requirements.

This episode explores the integrated approach of Uisce Éireann and the critical role of early engagement and cross-agency collaboration in building resilient communities.

Joining us is Olwyn James, the Senior Planning, Land, and Utilities Manager at Uisce Éireann. She draws on over two decades of experience in local authority planning and architectural conservation to explain the realities of managing national infrastructure delivery.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Uisce Éireann infrastructure delivery and planning system integration

Addressing decades of under-investment in critical water assets

Complex consenting regimes and the need for reform

Early engagement strategies between agencies and developers

The importance of high-quality design in utility infrastructure

GUEST DETAILS

Olwyn James serves as the Senior Planning, Land, and Utilities Manager at Uisce Éireann. With a career spanning over 20 years, she has transitioned from local authority planning and architectural conservation into her current role leading complex infrastructure delivery. Her work focuses on navigating consenting regimes, national infrastructure delivery, and strategic site acquisition.

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