The Land Use Framework

Land is the nation’s greatest natural asset, being the source of food, the foundation stone of nature and the support system of the environment on which we rely. It’s the place where we live, work and rest. Due to the climate and biodiversity crises, global shocks and the needs of consumers and businesses, there is a need for land to be used in a beneficial way in order to meet the challenges that will occur now and into the future.

With the government heading towards the target of 2050 for the Environment and Climate Change Acts, the Land Use Consultation was introduced in January 2025. To help understand how things could work going forward, the Land Use Consultation was drawn up to connect those that farm the land, developers, and citizens who shape the landscape to those that make policy decisions for the nation. Currently, 67% of England’s land is being used for agriculture, 38% arable and 29% grassland, bringing into the economy around £37bn per annum for England alone. However, to meet these requirements, there is a need to change land use in England by 2050 to ensure there is a space for nature, water and emissions reductions, to deliver new infrastructure and housing and to maintain food production. This could see land being taken away from agricultural production for environmental and climate benefits.

How Does This Effect You and I?

From listening to many, it has become clear that there is a need to consult with all in the ‘food chain’, from the growers to the policy makers and all in between, to increase communication and express confidence in the agricultural communities for every generation. The consultation has now closed, and we await to hear the government’s response in the form of the Land Use Framework in the Summer.