Judicial review granted for farmers over pylon plans

More than 300 farmers and landowners have been granted permission to challenge the conduct of energy firm Green GEN Cymru in the High Court over proposed electricity infrastructure developments.

The judicial review was filed on behalf of community groups Justice for Wales and Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW), challenging the company’s actions while attempting to access private land to carry out surveys for three major overhead pylon routes.

See also: Farming coalition launches legal challenge against energy firm

The claim was brought on four grounds, including allegations of unlawful conduct, abuse of power, procedural impropriety, and breaches of human rights.

The proposals involve new energy infrastructure spanning approximately 200km across Powys, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Montgomeryshire, and crossing the Welsh border into Shropshire in the West Midlands.

Mrs Justice Jefford granted permission for the judicial review on four grounds during a three-and-a-half-hour hearing at Cardiff Civil Justice Centre on Tuesday 20 January.

The judge found the case arguable in relation to unreasonable use of power, procedural impropriety, breaches of biosecurity and biodiversity obligations, and a claimed violation of the first claimant’s rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.

A two-day High Court hearing is expected to take place in April 2026, with the date yet to be confirmed.

Undertaking 

The court also accepted an undertaking from Green GEN Cymru that it will not enter land using powers under section 172 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, which allows acquiring authorities to access land for surveys and valuations, until an urgent interim relief application hearing has taken place.

Justice for Wales founder Natalie Barstow said: “This is a moment of vindication. For months, we have been left feeling unsafe in our own homes and stripped of our power as farmers and landowners.

“This is not a protest against renewable energy; this is about standing up for what is right. Our right to dignity and to have a voice, and for the future of our land, wildlife, and livelihoods.”

She added that support for the legal challenge had grown significantly across Wales, with hundreds of farmers and landowners coming forward with similar concerns.

Mary Smith, a lawyer at New South Law, representing the affected communities, said:

“Holding acquiring authority status does not entitle a company to disregard the limits of its statutory powers or the rights of the people affected.

“The Court’s decision confirms that Green GEN Cymru must be held to the same legal standards as any other public body when exercising intrusive powers over private land.”