UK Government Proposes Land Use Framework Balancing Food, Energy, and Nature

The plan outlines strategies to protect farmland while allocating space for clean energy, housing, and environmental restoration by 2050.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed has launched a consultation on a new land use framework to address competing demands for England’s finite land resources.
The framework aims to protect high-quality farmland for food production while identifying areas for solar farms, housing, tree planting, and nature restoration.
Approximately 9% of farmland may be repurposed by 2050 to meet net zero targets, raising concerns among farmers about food security and government overreach.
The plan includes workshops with farmers and stakeholders to gather input and explore incentives for shifting unproductive land toward diverse uses.
The framework will provide data and tools to help local governments, landowners, and businesses make informed decisions on land use priorities.