Keir Starmer announces loosening of nuclear reactor planning regulations
Written by James Nicod on 7th February 2025
The government has announced new measures to loosen planning regulations in order to allow more nuclear reactors to be built around the UK.
The announcement came as part of the governments plans to modernise “archaic” planning regulations and boost economic growth, one of Keir Starmer’s biggest promises.
The move has been controversial with environmental groups, with Friends of the Earth saying in a statement: “Nuclear energy is extremely expensive and creates a legacy of radioactive waste that lasts for thousands of years.
“If ministers want to build clean, affordable and energy secure future they should focus on renewables such as wind and solar.”
There are further concerns around the imposition of nuclear facilities against the wishes of local people.
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament said: “Starmer’s war on the ‘nay sayers’ is an attempt to railroad legitimate concerns and subvert local democracy.
“In recent comments made about Hinkley Point C, he ridiculed a legal requirement for EDF to install technology that would prevent 44 tonnes of fish from being killed by the plant’s turbines every year.
“So not only are we told lies about a dirty source of energy generation, we’re told to be ok with the unnecessary death of millions of local wildlife and the destruction of our biodiversity.”
Keir Starmer said that developers would be “encouraged” to apply for planning permission as soon as possible in order to shorten building timelines as the government streamlines the planning system.
The North East is currently home to one of the UK’s few nuclear power plants in Hartlepool along with an upcoming reactor in Teesside that was announced early last year.
The plans have been supported by the Nuclear Institute, a member of the UK Science Council.
President of the Nuclear Institute Dr Fiona Rayment said: “I welcome today’s Government announcement on steps to advance nuclear power through reforms to planning rules.
“However, we also urge the Government to pick up the pace further to deliver on promises of new highly-skilled jobs and clean, secure and more affordable energy.
“The nuclear industry has a crucial role to play in meeting the government security, energy and growth ambitions. We stand ready to help them achieve this.”
