Starmer Pledges to Overhaul Planning Rules for Nationwide Nuclear Expansion

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to push past “Nimbyism” as he lifts restrictions on where nuclear power plants can be built across England. The move is intended to accelerate the approval of a wave of "mini" nuclear reactors, with the first expected to be operational by 2032. Starmer’s broader initiative aims to override opposition to key infrastructure projects, including housing developments, wind farms, data centers, and pylons, as his government seeks to cut through red tape.  

 

The UK has not constructed a new nuclear power station since 1995. Under current regulations, nuclear plants can only be built in eight designated areas in England and Wales. These restrictions will now be scrapped, allowing more sites to be considered for nuclear expansion. While the move is being positioned as a step toward securing the country’s energy future and ensuring a clean power supply, it will also bar Chinese firms from investing in the projects.  

 

Despite Starmer’s confidence, some Labour MPs—particularly those representing rural constituencies—are privately concerned that large-scale development in their areas could weaken their chances of re-election. Addressing these concerns on Wednesday, the Prime Minister made clear his intention to challenge opposition.  

 

“By going for more sites than the eight, then obviously you’re opening up more space. There’s no point us pretending otherwise," he said. "That means there is the potential now for nuclear sites in places where, until now, it wasn’t thought they would ever be. We do have to push past the Nimbyism, and we’re going to do so on housing and other infrastructure.”  

 

To ease local opposition, the government may offer discounted energy bills to residents near newly built nuclear plants. A similar incentive has already been introduced for onshore wind farms under Starmer’s administration.  

 

The changes are being made to the “national policy statement,” which has not been updated since 2011. This document serves as a key guideline for councils, planning inspectors, and courts when assessing infrastructure projects. Under current rules, new nuclear power stations are permitted only in Bradwell, Hartlepool, Heysham, Hinkley Point, Oldbury, Sellafield (Moorside), Sizewell, and Wylfa. The revised policy will remove site-specific limitations while maintaining restrictions on construction in densely populated areas and near military installations.  

 

The usual planning process for projects categorized as critical national infrastructure will remain in place, allowing communities to voice objections. However, the Prime Minister suggested that his party’s significant parliamentary majority would provide the necessary leverage to advance these initiatives.  

 

“We have got the advantage of a big majority to help us. There’s a window here which, to be fair, we haven’t had that big working majority in Parliament for a long time now,” Starmer stated.  

 

The policy changes will not directly impact Scotland or Northern Ireland, where devolved governments set their own nuclear energy policies. However, in England and Wales, the removal of site restrictions marks a major shift in nuclear planning regulations.  

 

Investment from Chinese companies, whether state-backed or private, is unlikely to be welcomed in the construction of these new power stations, according to the Prime Minister. This follows the government’s ongoing efforts to limit Chinese involvement in critical national infrastructure.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2025-02-08