LDA Design joins our 'Infrastructure 2026' discussion on pathfinder GBE-N project

Image: A view of Anglesey, credit Great British Energy – Nuclear

Future Cities Forum is delighted that Alister Kratt, Director, LDA Design will be contributing to our 'Infrastructure 2026' discussion event this April.

Alister is a director specialising in large, multidisciplinary projects and development in sensitive contexts. He leads LDA Design’s energy and infrastructure teams with expertise in nuclear, wave and tidal, EfW and port sectors. He is a landscape architect and master planner with significant experience in project leadership including DCO and EIA.

LDA Design is joining Arup, TÜV SÜD Nuclear Technologies, Mace and Gleeds in support of Great British Energy – Nuclear’s first small modular reactor (SMR), a pathfinder project destined for Wylfa on Anglesey.

The appointed team will assist GBE–N by delivering optioneering, feasibility and a subsequently integrated site-specific concept design. Arup leads the consortium and will deliver early-phase foundation engineering. LDA Design will lead the master planning process, drawing on a wealth of experience of major infrastructure and other UK nuclear projects, including Sizewell C.

LDA Design’s Infrastructure lead, Alister Kratt, said: “We look forward to working with the team to deliver a place-based masterplan response fit for Anglesey that establishes a benchmark for this new technology.”

Wylfa represents a major milestone in the government’s clean energy superpower mission. The project will supply up to 1.5GW of clean energy to the grid, playing a pivotal role in strengthening energy security and advancing the UK’s net zero ambitions.

The project will position the UK the forefront of the global SMR market, which is projected to be valued at more than £500 billion by 2050. It is also expected to generate significant economic benefits for North Wales, including the creation of up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction, plus long-term career prospects within the wider supply chain.

Simon Roddy, Chief Executive of GBE-N said: “Delivering a safe, high-quality, and integrated site-specific design for the UK’s first SMR requires strong collaboration, innovation and precise technical decision making with our Technology and Foundation Engineering Partners. I welcome Arup and their project partners to this landmark nuclear project alongside GBE-N and our preferred technology partner bidder Rolls-Royce SMR.”

Jeremy Stain, Nuclear Business Leader at Arup, commented: “The project represents the first of the UK’s anticipated fleet of small modular reactors and aligns with the UK’s energy policy, supporting the need for all available technologies to address carbon reduction and energy security challenges, with nuclear as a vital part of the energy mix. We are delighted to contribute Arup’s multidisciplinary engineering skills and local knowledge to this landmark nuclear project.”