The Government has published England’s first ever Land Use Framework, the plan for delivering development, nature restoration, renewable energy and food security.

The document comes as three of the five worst harvests on record occurred in the last five years and a third of farmland is at high risk of flooding.

By 2030, if the plan is implemented, there should be restored peatlands, better coastal habitats, expanded wetlands, and canopy cover lining urban streets as well as the delivery of 1.5 million new dwellings.

This comes as DESNZ announced plans to reduce red tape and allow farmers, as well as businesses and public sector organisations to install single small onshore wind turbines without needing to apply for planning permission.

Over the next year, the Government will establish a dedicated Land Use Unit to drive delivery of the Framework and produce England’s first single map of national spatial priorities for Defra. Alongside more effective spatial planning for infrastructure and growth, this is anticipated to align national and local strategies, accelerate decision-making and give more certainty to investors and developers.

A form of framework was first suggested under the Conservative government in the 2021 Dimbleby Review, with a draft available in 2023, but this has been repeatedly pushed back.

Government figures have previously estimated that around 1.6 million hectares of farming land will need to be repurposed to meet climate targets by 2050, around 9 per cent of England's farming land, and double that will need some form of change. Latest figures have suggested a slightly smaller number.

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