Judicial reviews could be curbed for major homes and infrastructure projects to ‘get Britain building’, the government announced today - embarking on a snap consultation.

Outgoing prime minister Sir Keir Starmer revealed his intention to curb judicial reviews in 2025, when he wrote in an article for the Mail that ‘nimbys and zealots’ were ‘gumming up the legal system’.

The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 ‘streamlined’ the judicial review process for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIP). NSIP cases now proceed directly to an oral permission hearing and removes the right of appeal for claims deemed totally without merit at that hearing.

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The government now wants to extend judicial review reform to major housing, transport and energy developments, such as solar projects, road building and affordable homes.

Courts minister Sarah Sackman said: ‘Britain needs more homes, better transport links and new infrastructure. Legal challenges which lack merit should not be allowed to hold back the developments that create jobs, drive growth and strengthen communities. Judicial review will remain a vital safeguard, but it cannot be a vehicle for delay. We want to protect access to justice while getting nationally important projects built faster.’

Consultation respondents will have to be quick – the window for submissions closes on 27 August.