The UK government will weaken habitat protections around new nuclear power stations to accelerate a sector plagued by decade-long delays. Following John Fingleton's review, developers can pay a fixed fee into a nature fund instead of undergoing full environmental impact assessments under the Habitats Regulations 2017. Ministers also plan to shield developers from judicial review costs, potentially requiring new legislation.

These changes target systemic planning delays that have crippled the UK's nuclear ambitions. Hinkley Point, developed by EDF Energy, is a decade late and billions over budget, while Sizewell C construction only recently began. Past failures include Hitachi's 2019 withdrawal from the Wylfa project. Developers have long complained that ecological restrictions, such as requirements for complex 'fish disco' deterrent systems, impose onerous burdens.

The reforms risk a dispute with the EU over 'level playing field' rules, which prohibit regressing environmental standards for competitive advantage. This could complicate future EU single market access. Legal experts warn the rollback of nature protections is unprecedented. The government simultaneously announced a new Nuclear Commission and regulatory merger to cut duplication, citing heightened global dangers to justify a separate 'defence nuclear' fast-track.