Join the National Conversation on Land Use: Insights from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The Government has kicked off a consultation focused on how we use land in England. The goal is to help decision-makers protect our best agricultural land while ensuring food security.

With new data on land use, this initiative will support the Government’s Plan for Change. This plan includes building 1.5 million homes, developing crucial infrastructure, securing clean energy, protecting farmland, and restoring nature.

The consultation will gather opinions from farmers, landowners, businesses, and environmental groups all over the country. This national conversation aims to include the voices of those who manage our landscapes.

Using advanced land use data, the Land Use Framework will guide local governments, landowners, and farmers in making informed decisions. The aim is to balance various needs—like growing food, constructing homes, and restoring ecosystems.

At the launch event, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Steve Reed, emphasized the importance of this framework. He noted that it’s a starting point for transforming land use policies. The framework is not about imposing directives but about collaborating to enhance decision-making with accurate data.

“Farming’s primary purpose is to produce food for the nation,” Reed said. “This framework will equip decision-makers with the tools they need to safeguard our best agricultural land.”

This vision aims to ensure long-term food security while supporting new housing and energy projects. By using land more strategically, we can reduce conflicts and promote multiple benefits from the same land.

The framework also seeks to explore how data can help planners make better choices, particularly in protecting food supplies from risks like flooding.

Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, added, “This is an important step towards building the new homes we need while also supporting the environment.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband highlighted the need for a balance between food security and clean energy, addressing the climate crisis that threatens both farmland and production.

The consultation is a vital part of shaping our land use framework, reflecting input from farmers, landowners, businesses, and environmentalists. It will be open for 12 weeks, concluding later this year.

Effective land management is more critical than ever. This consultation presents a unique chance to foster resilience, promote sustainable growth, and ensure the UK leads in responsible land use.

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