‘Archaic rules’ torn up to green light new nuclear

The mini nuclear power plants will now be included in planning rules as part of the government’s so-called Plan for Change.

Other measures to speed up deployment of nuclear power stations include scrapping the eight-site list, thereby widening the areas for nuclear new build; removing the expiry date on nuclear planning rules; and the establishment of a Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce that will report directly to PM Keir Starmer.  

The measures are being introduced to cut red tape, ‘ripping up archaic rules and saying no to the NIMBYs to prioritise growth’.

It comes after recent changes to planning laws and the scrapping of the 3-strike rule for judicial reviews on infrastructure projects. According to the government, a ‘common sense’ approach will be applied to environmental rules.

Hinkley Point C is currently under construction, 30 years after Sizewell B came online. Sizewell C is in the pipeline and preliminary works are being carried out, but the project is still awaiting a final investment decision. Meanwhile, China is constructing 29 reactors, and the EU has 12 at planning stage.