The ‘Whims of Nimbys’…Is Starmer Ready to Get Tough? 

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Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to curb what he describes as the excessive influence of local opposition groups by restricting legal challenges to major building projects. The Prime Minister announced plans to limit judicial reviews, arguing that campaigners are misusing courts to stall critical infrastructure development.

A recent well publicised example references the construction of a £100 million “bat tunnel” for HS2 which further stresses the need to simplify regulatory processes.

Under the proposed reforms, league tables tracking court delays will be introduced to encourage faster rulings. These changes aim to cut decision times by about a year, potentially saving taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds. 

Despite anticipated backlash over environmental concerns and local opposition, Starmer defended his approach, asserting the need to combat a “challenge culture” that hampers progress.

“Our courts shouldn’t be abused by pressure groups to frustrate critical infrastructure,” Starmer said. He emphasised prioritising national prosperity over local resistance, adding that “the whims of nimbys” have hindered growth for too long.

Streamlining Judicial Reviews

Currently, campaigners and residents can apply for judicial review up to three times during the planning process. The reforms would reduce this to a maximum of two stages, eliminating an initial “paper permission” phase. Additionally, claimants whose challenges are deemed “totally without merit” by a High Court judge will lose the right to appeal.

Accelerating Decision Timelines

Starmer’s government has accepted recommendations from Lord Banner KC, a senior planning barrister, whose review proposed reforms to cut the timeline for major projects by six to 12 months. The review highlighted the rising cost of judicial challenges, with delays to road projects alone costing taxpayers up to £121 million annually.

To address this, both parties in a case will be required to commit to clear timetables, while courts—including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court—will adopt time targets for rulings. Courts will also publish performance data to encourage accountability.

Expanding Ministerial Control

The reforms will apply to the “nationally significant infrastructure” regime, which grants ministers authority over projects like motorways, rail lines, and power stations. Recent changes have also brought onshore wind farms under this framework.

The Government is also targeting delays in housebuilding. Ministers plan to reduce the role of environmental regulators in halting developments, replacing mitigation requirements with a national “nature restoration” fund that developers will contribute to while construction proceeds.

Mixed Reactions to Reforms

Starmer’s proposals have drawn praise from industry advocates like Lord Banner, who welcomed the measures as a step toward expediting infrastructure delivery. However, environmental groups and local campaigners are likely to voice strong opposition, arguing that these changes risk undermining environmental protections and public participation in the planning process.

As Labour pushes forward with its planning reform agenda, Starmer says “We’re putting an end to this challenge culture by taking on the ‘nimbys’ and a broken system that has slowed down our progress as a nation.”

Encouraging signs some may say, clearly environment groups will not take kindly to this, so it will be interesting to see if this refreshed approach does indeed speed up approvals and starts on site.