We reported in last week’s ENews that Defra had published its Land Use Framework. This sets out the Government’s vision to optimise land use across nature, food production, energy generation, housing and climate adaptation. Some key points include:
- The best land is to be safeguarded from New homes should not be on high-quality farmland and flood-risk areas.
- Renewables are expected to take up about 1% of land in England. There will be a new permitted development right to install a single small wind turbine which could help farmers generate their own energy.
- Grazing will continue in the uplands but they will also be important for peat restoration, carbon storage and water management.
- Planning reform will aim to simplify and speed up the planning process.
