Overview

• 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.