Reeves to protect energy and infrastructure projects from court challenges

Wednesday 20 May 2026 9:09 am

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Wednesday 20 May 2026 9:11 am

Reeves is drawing up plans to protect key projects from judicial reviews

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is drawing up reforms to give parliament the power to insulate essential energy and infrastructure projects from court challenges.The government is expected to put forward plans to keep the projects safe from judicial review.“For too long, vital infrastructure delivery has been delayed by judicial reviews of projects,” a Treasury spokesperson said in ‌a ⁠statement.The overhaul is understood to be part of a series of interventions aimed at boosting the UK economy and reducing legal referrals against major green energy schemes, including power stations and wind farms.“She (Reeves) is clear that parliament must take back control to get Britain building the ⁠power plants, wind farms and grid connections that will bring ⁠bills down, strengthen our energy security, and ⁠deliver growth in every part of our country”, the spokesperson said.The new measures are anticipated to accelerate the development of new energy and infrastructure plans while balancing environmental objectives. The government believes judicial reviews have held up major energy and infrastructure projects. Judicial reviews are court proceedings in which a judge reviews the lawfulness of a decision made by a public body and are a legal tool often used by local councils, campaigners, or environmental groups to challenge the government’s building permissions. Landmark planning Bill passed This follows the government’s December 2025 passing of the Landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill to speed up the building of critical green energy and infrastructure.Several key energy and infrastructure plans have already been affected by judicial reviews brought to court by campaigners. The Norfolk Offshore Wind Farm was delayed by two years, and the Sizewell C Power Station in Suffolk was pushed back by campaigners who raised concerns about environmental and water supply issues for this multi-billion-pound nuclear project.