Reeves to Shield Key Clean Energy Projects from Legal Challenges

Rachel Reeves is preparing to announce a planning overhaul that would fast-track clean energy and infrastructure projects by limiting judicial reviews, the Treasury said.

The chancellor will propose that Parliament be able to designate and approve the most important clean energy projects as of “critical national importance,” part of a broader package aimed at mitigating the impact of the Iran crisis.

“That would reduce the exposure from judicial review on all but human rights grounds,” the Treasury said.

The move comes as pressure mounts on the government to accelerate energy infrastructure development to meet its goal of building a virtually zero-carbon power system by 2030.

Renewable energy developers have long complained about the difficulty of gaining planning permission for projects, from offshore wind farms to onshore solar and battery storage developments, and waiting times to connect to Great Britain’s electricity grid.

A Treasury spokesperson said vital infrastructure delivery had been “delayed by judicial reviews of projects the country needs.”

They added: “The chancellor won’t stand for it any longer and is bringing forward bold changes to support delivery.

“She is clear that parliament must take back control – to get Britain building the power plants, windfarms and grid connections that will bring bills down, strengthen our energy security, and deliver growth in every part of our country.”

Last year a record number of renewable energy projects were approved in Great Britain, according to analysis by consultancy Cornwall Insight.

It found that the energy capacity of new battery, wind, and solar projects that received approval climbed to 45GW, 96% higher than in 2024.

However, it also found the pace of projects starting up lagged behind, largely due to long construction timelines and grid connection delays.

For other infrastructure, such as transport and water projects, the government will introduce a fixed legal challenge window, after which planning consent could be updated to address “any legitimate issues,” the Treasury said.

The proposal comes amid a series of policy moves by Reeves despite uncertainty about the future of Keir Starmer as prime minister. On Tuesday, the government asked UK supermarkets to consider freezing prices of some essential foodstuffs to protect the public from inflation fueled by the Middle East conflict. Reeves is expected to announce measures to help households with the cost of living on Thursday, including plans to cancel a planned rise in fuel duty.